2025 CPT code 93979
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Diagnostic - Non-Invasive Vascular Diagnostic Studies Medicine Services and Procedures Feed
Duplex scan of aorta, inferior vena cava, iliac vessels, or bypass grafts; unilateral or limited study.
Modifiers 26 (professional component), 59 (distinct procedural service), and TC (technical component) might be applicable in certain situations.The use of these modifiers must align with the specific circumstances of the service delivery.
Medical necessity for 93979 is established by the presence of clinical symptoms or findings suggestive of vascular disease.This could include abdominal pain, leg pain, swelling, or changes in pulses.Prior vascular procedures, such as bypass grafts, might also necessitate this study for surveillance or follow-up.The ordering physician must provide clinical justification in the patient's chart demonstrating the medical need for the study.
The clinical responsibility lies with a physician specializing in vascular surgery, radiology, or other relevant specialties. The physician is responsible for ordering the study, interpreting the results, and communicating findings to the patient and referring physician.Technical aspects of the scan are usually performed by a sonographer under the physician's supervision.
In simple words: This test uses ultrasound to create pictures and check blood flow in major blood vessels in your abdomen and pelvis, such as the aorta (the largest artery), vena cava (the largest vein), or any bypass grafts (artificial vessels).The doctor will focus on one side of the body or a specific part of the vessels.
This CPT code 93979 represents a non-invasive duplex ultrasound scan of either the aorta, inferior vena cava, iliac vasculature, or bypass grafts.The study is considered unilateral or limited, meaning it focuses on one side or a restricted area of the specified vascular structures. The procedure involves the use of ultrasound technology to visualize and assess blood flow patterns and vascular structures.Detailed documentation including images and spectral analysis of blood flow is required for accurate reporting. This is a limited study so it's not as comprehensive as a complete study.
Example 1: A patient presents with abdominal pain and suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm. A limited duplex scan of the aorta (93979) is performed to assess the size and extent of the aneurysm., A patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left leg undergoes a limited duplex scan (93979) of the iliac veins on the left side to assess for recurrence or complications., A post-operative patient with an aorto-femoral bypass graft needs a follow-up assessment of the graft's patency. A limited duplex scan (93979) is used to evaluate blood flow and identify any potential stenosis or occlusion.
* Detailed patient history and reason for the study.* Images of the scanned vessels with clear documentation of the location and extent of the study.* Doppler waveform analysis including spectral and color Doppler images demonstrating blood flow direction and velocity.* Measurements of vessel diameter and any areas of stenosis or occlusion.* Physician's interpretation of the findings and report.
** Always refer to the most up-to-date CPT codebook and payer guidelines for complete and accurate coding practices.Consider using modifier 59 if additional imaging or tests justify the charge of another related procedure.
- Revenue Code: I3F (ECHOGRAPHY - OTHER)
- RVU: The relative value units for this code will vary based on geographic location, payer, and other factors.Consult the appropriate fee schedule for the most up-to-date information.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: The technical component modifier (TC) may apply if the professional component (physician interpretation) is billed separately.
- Fee Schedule: The historical fee schedule for CPT code 93979 is unavailable. Consult the appropriate payer's fee schedule for relevant information.
- Specialties:Vascular Surgery, Radiology, Cardiology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center