2025 CPT code 34715
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Surgery - Endovascular Repair Procedures of the Abdominal Aorta and/or Iliac Arteries Surgical Procedures on Arteries and Veins Feed
Open axillary/subclavian artery exposure for endovascular prosthesis delivery via infraclavicular or supraclavicular incision (unilateral).
Modifiers 22 (increased procedural services) and 51 (multiple procedures) may be appropriate depending on the circumstances of the procedure.
Medical necessity for this procedure is established when open axillary/subclavian artery exposure is required to facilitate the delivery and placement of an endovascular prosthesis during a primary endovascular repair or other vascular procedure. The necessity is dictated by anatomical limitations or the complexity of the case.
The surgeon's responsibilities include making the incision, dissecting tissue, ligating vessels if necessary, retracting ligaments, exposing the artery, placing the endovascular prosthesis, and closing the incision layers using sutures.This procedure is typically performed during a primary endovascular repair.
- Surgical Procedures on Arteries and Veins
- Surgical Procedures on Arteries and Veins > Endovascular Repair Procedures of the Abdominal Aorta and/or Iliac Arteries
In simple words: The doctor makes an incision in the upper chest or shoulder area to reach a major artery (axillary or subclavian artery) to insert a tube-like device as part of a larger blood vessel repair.
This CPT code encompasses the open surgical exposure of the axillary or subclavian artery through an infraclavicular or supraclavicular incision on one side of the body to facilitate the introduction of an endovascular prosthesis.The procedure involves meticulous dissection of tissue, ligation of vessels as needed, and retraction of ligaments to adequately expose the artery for prosthesis placement.Post-procedure, the arterial and incision sites are closed in layers using sutures. This code is reported in addition to the primary endovascular repair procedure code.
Example 1: A patient requires an endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Due to the anatomical location of the aneurysm, the surgeon needs to access the axillary artery to deliver the endograft. Code 34715 is reported in addition to the code for the endovascular aneurysm repair., During a complex thoracic outlet syndrome repair, the surgeon performs an open axillary artery exposure to facilitate the placement of a bypass graft. Code 34715 is reported in conjunction with codes for the bypass grafting procedure., The patient undergoes a TEVAR procedure.Due to the anatomy, the surgeon chooses to access the subclavian artery to complete this procedure. Code 34715 is reported along with the TEVAR code.
** This code is an add-on code, meaning it is reported in addition to the primary procedure code.Ultrasound guidance, if used, is included in the code.Extensive artery repair may require additional coding.
- Revenue Code: P2F (Major Procedure, Cardiovascular - Other)
- RVU: Refer to CMS fee schedules for current relative value units (RVUs) and reimbursement rates. These values vary based on geographic location and other factors.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is an add-on code reported in addition to a primary procedure.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Fee Schedule: Historical fee schedules can vary greatly depending on the payer and location.Refer to historical fee data from the payer or relevant databases for specific information.
- Specialties:Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery, Thoracic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center