2025 CPT code 93971
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Diagnostic - Non-Invasive Vascular Diagnostic Studies Medicine Services and Procedures Feed
Duplex scan of extremity veins, unilateral or limited bilateral study, including responses to compression and other maneuvers.
Modifiers 26 (professional component) and TC (technical component) may apply.Modifier 59 (distinct procedural service) may be used when performing this code in conjunction with other procedures. Other modifiers may apply in certain clinical situations.
Medical necessity for 93971 is established when clinical findings (e.g., symptoms, physical exam) suggest potential venous pathology. This could be related to suspected deep vein thrombosis, evaluation of venous insufficiency, assessment of suitability of veins for vascular access, or preoperative evaluation.
The physician or qualified healthcare professional performs the ultrasound examination, interprets the results, and documents the findings in the patient's record. This includes applying gel to the skin, moving the ultrasound probe over the target area, and analyzing the images and blood flow data.Maneuvers such as compression may also be part of the clinical responsibility.
In simple words: The doctor uses ultrasound to take pictures and measure blood flow in a vein in one arm or leg.This includes special tests, like squeezing the area to see how the blood reacts.
This CPT code describes a duplex scan of extremity veins (either arm or leg) which is a unilateral or limited bilateral study.The procedure involves using ultrasound technology to create real-time images and measurements of blood flow.The scan includes B-mode imaging showing vascular structure, Doppler spectral analysis for blood flow information, and color flow Doppler imaging indicating speed and direction of flow. The study also incorporates maneuvers such as compression to assess the patient's response and further characterize blood flow.
Example 1: A patient presents with leg swelling and pain.A duplex scan (93971) is performed to evaluate for deep vein thrombosis. The scan reveals a thrombus in the popliteal vein. , Preoperative evaluation for a patient undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery requires assessment of vein suitability. A duplex scan (93971) of the saphenous vein in the leg is performed to determine patency and size. , A patient with end-stage renal disease requires a vascular access site for hemodialysis.A duplex scan (93971) of the arm is performed to assess the suitability of the cephalic vein for access creation.
Detailed documentation should include the patient's history and physical findings, a description of the technique employed, the images obtained, and a comprehensive interpretation of the results.This includes specifying the extremity examined, levels evaluated, the presence or absence of abnormalities, and any provocative maneuvers performed and their results.
** This code is for a unilateral or limited bilateral study.For bilateral studies, refer to 93970.The use of a handheld Doppler device without hard copy output or bidirectional flow analysis is not separately reportable.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Modifier TC (technical component) may be used when the technical component is billed separately.
- Specialties:Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, Radiology, Nephrology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center