AMA CPT® Assistant - 2011 Issue 7 (July)
Coding Communication: Lower Extremity Revascularization (37220-37235) and Supra-Inguinal Atherectomy Reporting (0234T-0238T) (July 2011)
July 2011 pages 3-11 Coding Communication: Lower Extremity Revascularization (37220-37235) and Supra-Inguinal Atherectomy Reporting (0234T-0238T) The Category I Surgery Cardiovascular section of CPT® 2011 contains a new endovascular lower extremity revascularization subsection (37220-37235). In addition, the Category III section contains a new atherectomy for supra-inguinal arteries subsection with the addition of codes 0234T-0238T. The background information provided in this article may be helpful to understand the structure, intent, and use of codes 37220-37235 and 0234T-0238T. Overview During the Relative Update Committee’s (RUC’s) Five-Year Review of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule process, a recommendation was made to combine the CPT...
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Article Overview
This July 2011 CPT Assistant article reviews the introduction and structure of new CPT code families for lower extremity endovascular revascularization and supra-inguinal atherectomy. It is aimed at coders, billers, and vascular/interventional practices that need background on code organization, included services, related catheterization and imaging issues, add-on reporting, and the broader context of CPT 2011 changes. The article also touches on relevant HCPCS Level II reporting considerations and provides clinical examples and FAQ-style discussion to illustrate the topics covered.
Why This Topic Matters
Vascular procedure reporting changed significantly with the CPT 2011 revisions discussed here. Understanding the scope of the new code families and their related reporting framework helps support accurate coding, compliance, and communication among clinical and billing teams.
Article Sections
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July 2011 pages 3-11
Publication metadata and article placement within the source issue.
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Overview
High-level background on the CPT 2011 changes and the review process that led to the new vascular coding structure.
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Etiology
General clinical background on arterial disease and the anatomic territories addressed by the article.
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Endovascular Revascularization (Open or Percutaneous, Transcatheter) (37220-37235)
Discussion of the lower extremity revascularization code family, its scope, and the services grouped within it.
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How to Use
General guidance on how the lower extremity revascularization code family is organized and reported in practice.
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Inclusive Services (37220-37235)
Summary of the categories of work bundled into the lower extremity revascularization code series.
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Reporting Additional Services
Discussion of circumstances in which other services may be considered in relation to the lower extremity revascularization codes.
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Coding Tip: 37220-37235 vs. 0234T-0238T
Comparison of the lower extremity revascularization codes with the supra-inguinal atherectomy code family.
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Category III Peripheral Atherectomy Codes (0234T-0238T)
Overview of the Category III atherectomy code family for supra-inguinal arterial territories.
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Inclusive Services (0234T-0238T)
Summary of the types of work described within the supra-inguinal atherectomy code series.
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Coding Tip
Brief note on related device reporting considerations discussed in the article.
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Clinical Example (0234T)
Example case and procedure narrative associated with the renal artery atherectomy discussion.
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Clinical Example (0235T)
Example case and procedure narrative associated with the visceral artery atherectomy discussion.
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Clinical Example (0236T)
Example case and procedure narrative associated with abdominal aorta atherectomy discussion.
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Clinical Example (0237T)
Example case and procedure narrative associated with brachiocephalic territory atherectomy discussion.
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Clinical Example (0238T)
Example case and procedure narrative associated with iliac artery atherectomy discussion.
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Table 1. CPT® 2011 Deleted NonLower Extremity/NonCoronary Atherectomy Codes and Corresponding Radiological Supervision and Interpretation (S&I) Code(s)
Reference table showing deleted atherectomy codes and related radiology supervision and interpretation code crosswalks.
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Commonly Asked Questions
FAQ-style discussion of reporting issues, including catheterization, imaging, thrombectomy, and closure-related topics.
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Table 2. CPT® 2011 Deleted Iliac, Femoral, Popliteal Artery Angioplasty/Atherectomy Codes and Editorially Revised Corresponding Radiological Supervision and Interpretation (S&I) Code(s)
Reference table showing deleted lower extremity angioplasty and atherectomy codes with corresponding revised imaging codes.
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References
Cited background literature and guideline sources.
What You Will Learn
- How the CPT 2011 lower extremity revascularization code family is organized
- How the supra-inguinal atherectomy code family differs from lower extremity revascularization reporting
- Which broad services are discussed as bundled or separately considered in the article
- How the article frames related catheterization, imaging, device, and closure topics
- What background references and clinical examples support the coding discussion
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Professional billers
- Cardiovascular surgery practices
- Interventional radiology practices
- Vascular medicine teams
- Compliance and revenue cycle staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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