2025 CPT code 37238
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System Surgery Feed
Transcatheter placement of an intravascular stent(s), open or percutaneous, including radiological supervision and interpretation and including angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed; initial vein.
Modifiers 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral procedure), 51 (multiple procedures), 59 (distinct procedural service), and others may be applicable depending on the specifics of the procedure.
Medical necessity for 37238 is established by documentation of significant venous stenosis or occlusion causing symptoms such as lower extremity edema, pain, or venous insufficiency.The procedure must be deemed medically necessary by the treating physician and potentially reviewed by the payer.
The physician prepares the patient, administers anesthesia (if necessary), accesses the vessel (open or percutaneous), advances a catheter, administers contrast, performs angioplasty (if needed), inserts and deploys the stent, and closes the access site.
In simple words: The doctor inserts a stent into a vein using a catheter, either through a small cut or without a large cut.This includes imaging guidance and any balloon angioplasty done in the same vein. This is for the first vein treated.
This CPT code encompasses the transcatheter placement of one or more intravascular stents via either an open surgical approach or a percutaneous technique.The procedure includes radiological supervision and interpretation.If angioplasty is performed within the same vessel, it is also included in this code. This applies to the initial vein treated.
Example 1: A patient presents with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the femoral vein. The physician performs a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement to restore blood flow., A patient with iliac vein stenosis undergoes an open surgical approach for stent placement.Angioplasty is performed to prepare the site for stent deployment., A patient with recurrent DVT in the popliteal vein requires transcatheter stent placement. The physician uses a percutaneous approach, and no angioplasty is needed.
Pre-procedure imaging (e.g., ultrasound, venography), operative report detailing access technique, stent type and location, angioplasty details (if performed), post-procedure imaging (e.g., venography to confirm stent placement and patency).
** This code is specifically for the initial vein treated.Additional stents placed in the same venous system may require additional coding.Always refer to the most up-to-date CPT codebook and payer guidelines for accurate coding and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P1G (MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A Technical Component (TC) modifier may apply depending on payer policy. Consult the payer's specific guidelines for clarification.
- Specialties:Vascular Surgery, Interventional Radiology
- Place of Service:Office, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient)