2025 CPT code 36482
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System Surgery Feed
Endovenous ablation therapy of an incompetent vein in an extremity using transcatheter delivery of a chemical adhesive (e.g., cyanoacrylate), remote from the access site; first vein treated.
Modifiers 50 (bilateral procedure) and 51 (multiple procedures) may be applicable.Other modifiers may be necessary depending on the specific circumstances of the procedure. Consult with your payer for specific guidance on modifier use.
Medical necessity is established by documentation of symptomatic venous insufficiency (e.g., pain, swelling, skin changes) and confirmation of incompetent vein(s) through appropriate imaging studies.The procedure must be deemed medically necessary by the treating physician and consistent with payer guidelines.
The physician is responsible for pre-procedure assessment, selecting the appropriate vein for treatment, performing the procedure using image guidance, administering the chemical adhesive, post-procedure monitoring and wound care.
In simple words: This code describes a minimally invasive procedure to close off a damaged vein in a leg or arm. A special glue is injected into the vein through a thin tube, closing it and improving blood flow. This is for the first vein treated during the procedure.
This CPT code encompasses endovenous ablation therapy of a single incompetent vein in an extremity.The procedure involves the percutaneous transcatheter delivery of a chemical adhesive, such as cyanoacrylate, to ablate the vein. The adhesive is delivered remotely from the access site. The code includes all necessary imaging guidance and monitoring during the procedure. This is specifically for the first vein treated in a single session.
Example 1: A patient presents with varicose veins in their right leg. The physician performs endovenous ablation of the great saphenous vein using code 36482 (first vein treated) with cyanoacrylate. , A patient has multiple incompetent veins in their left leg. The physician performs endovenous ablation of the first vein using code 36482 and subsequently ablates another vein in the same leg using code 36483., A patient has varicose veins in both legs.The physician performs the procedure on the right leg first using code 36482, then performs a bilateral procedure and bills for both legs with modifier 50.
Detailed medical history, physical examination findings, imaging studies (ultrasound, venography) to confirm vein incompetence, operative report specifying the vein treated, type and amount of chemical adhesive used, and post-procedure instructions.
** This code is for the endovenous ablation of incompetent veins using a chemical adhesive.It is a percutaneous procedure, meaning there is no open incision. Always confirm coverage with the specific payer before performing the procedure.
- Revenue Code: P6C (Medicare)
- RVU: Refer to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for current RVU values and reimbursement rates.RVUs vary based on geographic location and other factors.
- Global Days: Not applicable. This is not a surgical procedure with a global period.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.This is a complete procedure.
- Fee Schedule: Refer to historical Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) data for previous reimbursement rates. These rates can be accessed through CMS.
- Specialties:Vascular Surgery, Phlebology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center