2025 CPT code 37225
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Vascular Surgery - Surgical Procedures on Arteries and Veins Surgery Feed
Revascularization of a unilateral femoral or popliteal artery using an endovascular, open, or percutaneous approach, including atherectomy and angioplasty (if performed).
Modifiers 50 (bilateral procedure), 51 (multiple procedures), and 78 (unplanned return to OR) may be applicable depending on circumstances. Consult the CPT manual for details.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of significant stenosis or occlusion of the femoral or popliteal artery resulting in symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD) or critical limb ischemia (CLI) that impairs quality of life or threatens limb viability.Documentation must support the need for intervention.
The vascular surgeon or interventional cardiologist is responsible for performing this procedure, including pre-operative evaluation, procedural technique (open, percutaneous, or endovascular), post-operative care, and follow up.Anesthesiology services may be separately reported depending on the approach used.
In simple words: This code covers a procedure to fix a blocked or narrowed artery in one leg.The doctor cleans out the blockage and may also use a balloon to widen the artery, restoring normal blood flow.
This CPT code encompasses the revascularization of a single femoral or popliteal artery.The procedure involves restoring blood flow to a narrowed or blocked artery through an endovascular, open, or percutaneous approach.Atherectomy, the removal of plaque from the artery, is a key component.Transluminal angioplasty may be included if performed within the same vessel. The approach may be endovascular (through a catheter), open (surgical incision), or percutaneous (puncture through the skin).
Example 1: A 65-year-old male presents with intermittent claudication (leg pain) due to significant stenosis of the right superficial femoral artery.The surgeon performs a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with atherectomy to restore blood flow., A 72-year-old female presents with critical limb ischemia (CLI) secondary to complete occlusion of the left popliteal artery.An open surgical approach is required to perform the revascularization and atherectomy., A 58-year-old male with diabetes mellitus and peripheral artery disease requires endovascular revascularization with atherectomy of the right common femoral artery.Angioplasty was also performed as part of the revascularization process.
Detailed medical history, physical examination, imaging studies (e.g., angiography), operative report, pathology report (if applicable), post-operative course, and any complications.
** This code is used for unilateral procedures only.Separate codes exist for bilateral procedures or procedures on other vessels (e.g., tibial or peroneal arteries).The use of specific devices (stents, balloons, etc.) is not explicitly coded but is reflected in the detailed operative report.
- RVU: The specific RVUs vary based on the year and location (facility vs. non-facility).Consult the current year's CPT codebook and Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for precise values.
- Global Days : The global period for this procedure is dependent upon payer and local policies.Check payer specific guidelines for details.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A technical component (TC) modifier is typically not applied to this code as it usually represents the physician's work, rather than separately billable technical components.
- Fee Schedule : Fee schedules vary by year and payer. Refer to historical fee schedules from CMS and individual payers for past reimbursement rates.
- Specialties:Vascular Surgery, Interventional Cardiology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Physician's Office