2025 CPT code 37244
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System - Vascular Procedures Surgery Feed
Embolization for hemorrhage or vascular/lymphatic extravasation, inclusive of radiological supervision, intraprocedural guidance, and imaging.
Modifiers may be necessary to indicate multiple procedures (51), distinct procedural services (59), or other relevant circumstances.Consult the CPT manual and current NCCI edits for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of significant hemorrhage or lymphatic extravasation posing a threat to the patient's health.Documentation must clearly demonstrate the need for embolization to control bleeding or prevent further complications.
The physician is responsible for pre-procedure preparation, anesthesia administration (if applicable), percutaneous access to the target vessel, catheter navigation and placement, embolic material deployment, catheter removal, and hemostasis.Radiological supervision, image interpretation, and guidance are also included in the physician's responsibility.
In simple words: The doctor stops bleeding by blocking blood flow in a specific area using a catheter and special materials. This includes all imaging and guidance needed to complete the procedure.The doctor might use this for bleeding in the gut, after an injury, or from a problem with the lymphatic system.
This CPT code encompasses endovascular embolization or occlusion procedures performed to treat hemorrhage or extravasation from vascular or lymphatic structures.The procedure includes all necessary radiological supervision and interpretation, intra-procedural guidance (road-mapping), and imaging required to confirm procedure completion.Examples include embolization for gastrointestinal bleeding, trauma-induced hemorrhage, chylous effusion management (thoracic duct embolization), hemoptysis (bronchial artery embolization), and postpartum hemorrhage (uterine artery embolization). Diagnostic angiography and catheter placement are not included and should be billed separately if performed, with appropriate modifiers (e.g., modifier 59).Only one code from 37241-37244 should be reported per surgical field. Multiple codes may be used for procedures involving multiple surgical fields with the appropriate modifier.
Example 1: A patient presents with a severe gastrointestinal bleed.The physician performs embolization of the bleeding vessel to control hemorrhage.This procedure would be coded with 37244., A trauma patient arrives with significant pelvic hemorrhage.Embolization is used to control the bleeding.This is coded with 37244., A patient has chylous effusion due to a leak in the thoracic duct. Embolization of the thoracic duct is performed to manage the effusion. This would be coded with 37244.
Comprehensive documentation should include the indication for the procedure (e.g., active hemorrhage, extravasation), location of the bleeding/extravasation, imaging studies (pre- and post-procedure), type and amount of embolic material used, and confirmation of hemostasis.Operative reports, imaging reports, and any supporting clinical notes should be carefully documented.
** The selection of the appropriate embolization code (37241-37244) depends on the underlying condition leading to the hemorrhage or extravasation.Always ensure that the documentation supports the chosen code and adheres to all applicable coding guidelines and NCCI edits.
- Revenue Code: P1G (MAJOR PROCEDURE - OTHER)
- RVU: This information is not available in the provided text.Consult the current CPT codebook or a relevant fee schedule for RVU information.
- Global Days: The global period for this procedure is not specified in the provided text. Consult the current CPT codebook or a relevant fee schedule for information on the global surgical period.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: This information is not available in the provided source.Further clarification may be required from the current CPT manual or official coding guidelines.
- Fee Schedule: The historical fee schedule is not available in the provided source.Consult a historical CPT codebook or a relevant payer's fee schedule for this information.
- Specialties:Interventional Radiology, Vascular Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center