This has become a huge debate and I am reaching out for some other opinions.
The code in question is 37241:Vascular embolization or occlusion, inclusive of all radiological supervision and interpretation, intraprocedural roadmapping, and imaging guidance necessary to complete the intervention; venous, other than hemorrhage (eg, congenital or acquired venous malformations, venous and capillary hemangiomas, varices, varicoceles)
CPT notes state: For sclerosis of veins or endo venous ablation of incompetent extremity veins, see 36468 36479; Codes 37241 37244 are used to describe the work of vascular embolization and occlusion procedures, excluding the central nervous system and the head and neck, which are reported using 61624, 61626, 61710, and 75894, and excluding the ablation/sclerotherapy procedures for venous insufficiency/telangiectasia of the extremities/skin, which are reported using 36468, 36470, and 36471. Embolization and occlusion procedures are performed for a wide variety of clinical indications and in a range of vascular territories. Arteries, veins, and lymphatics may all be the target of embolization.
Code 37241 is used to report vascular embolization or occlusion procedures performed for venous conditions other than hemorrhage. Examples include embolization of venous malformations, capillary hemangiomas, varicocele's, and visceral varices. Embolization of side branches of an outflow vein from hemodialysis access would be reported using 37241.
The Clarivein procedure is also known as endomechanical ablation for varicose veins. The full description is: Endomechanical ablation (eg, ClariveinTM [Vascular Insights, Madision, CT]) is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins, combining mechanical and chemical modalities. The procedure involves the use of a special percutaneous infusion catheter, which contains a rotating wire, providing endovenous mechanical destruction. Simultaneously, an FDA-approved sclerosing agent (eg, sodium tetradecyl sulfate) is administered in order to enhance occlusion of the vein.
The company says to use 37241, but according to all the notes this looks wrong. Ablation for venous insufficiency is excluded from this code per CPT.
Comments? Opinions? Anyone?
The code in question is 37241:Vascular embolization or occlusion, inclusive of all radiological supervision and interpretation, intraprocedural roadmapping, and imaging guidance necessary to complete the intervention; venous, other than hemorrhage (eg, congenital or acquired venous malformations, venous and capillary hemangiomas, varices, varicoceles)
CPT notes state: For sclerosis of veins or endo venous ablation of incompetent extremity veins, see 36468 36479; Codes 37241 37244 are used to describe the work of vascular embolization and occlusion procedures, excluding the central nervous system and the head and neck, which are reported using 61624, 61626, 61710, and 75894, and excluding the ablation/sclerotherapy procedures for venous insufficiency/telangiectasia of the extremities/skin, which are reported using 36468, 36470, and 36471. Embolization and occlusion procedures are performed for a wide variety of clinical indications and in a range of vascular territories. Arteries, veins, and lymphatics may all be the target of embolization.
Code 37241 is used to report vascular embolization or occlusion procedures performed for venous conditions other than hemorrhage. Examples include embolization of venous malformations, capillary hemangiomas, varicocele's, and visceral varices. Embolization of side branches of an outflow vein from hemodialysis access would be reported using 37241.
The Clarivein procedure is also known as endomechanical ablation for varicose veins. The full description is: Endomechanical ablation (eg, ClariveinTM [Vascular Insights, Madision, CT]) is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins, combining mechanical and chemical modalities. The procedure involves the use of a special percutaneous infusion catheter, which contains a rotating wire, providing endovenous mechanical destruction. Simultaneously, an FDA-approved sclerosing agent (eg, sodium tetradecyl sulfate) is administered in order to enhance occlusion of the vein.
The company says to use 37241, but according to all the notes this looks wrong. Ablation for venous insufficiency is excluded from this code per CPT.
Comments? Opinions? Anyone?