Radiology Coding Alert

Question: How should I code the following procedure for a 2006 service?

The radiologist interprets imaging of endovascular repair of an aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. He provides analysis of pretreatment imaging, fluoroscopic and angiographic imaging during and after the procedure.


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Answer: The correct codes are new for 2006--75956 (Endovascular repair of descending thoracic aorta [e.g., aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, dissection, penetrating ulcer, intramural hematoma, or traumatic disruption]; involving coverage of left subclavian artery origin, initial endoprosthesis plus descending thoracic aortic extension[s], if required, to level of celiac artery origin, radiological supervision and interpretation) and 75957 (... not involving coverage of left subclavian artery origin, initial endoprosthesis plus descending thoracic aortic extension[s], if required, to level of celiac artery origin, radiological supervision and interpretation).

Codes CPT 75956 and CPT 75957 include all diagnostic angiography of the thoracic aorta and its branches before surgery, fluoroscopic guidance during the procedure, and arterial angiography during the procedure.

Include all imaging to manipulate wires, catheters, and devices, to open balloons, or to assess post-operative complications.

Note: The surgical codes for this service are endovascular repair codes 33880-33881.

Remember: If the radiologist interprets the films but was not present to supervise the imaging during the procedure, you must apply modifier 52 (Reduced services) to the S&I codes.