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Radiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

37215 and 61635 Are Internal Carotid Options

Published on Fri Nov 04, 2011

Question: Should I report 37215 or 61635 for an internal carotid stent? Codify Member Answer: The answer depends on the portion of the internal carotid in which the physician placed the stent. The internal carotid has both extracranial (cervical) and intracranial portions. Cervical: Code 37215 (Transcatheter placement of intravascular stent[s], cervical carotid artery, percutaneous; with distal embolic protection) was created to report percutaneous stent placement in the cervical portion of the extracranial carotid artery. The code includes the term "cervical" rather than extracranial "to clarify the intended site at or near the carotid bifurcation in the neck," states CPT® Changes 2006: An Insider's View. Intracranial: If the stent is placed in the intracranial internal carotid, then you should report 61635 (Transcatheter placement of intravascular stent[s], intracranial [e.g., atherosclerotic stenosis], including balloon angioplasty, if performed).
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