There are many new CPT codes for Angioplasty in 2017. We will discuss the use of CPT code 37246, 37247, 37248 and 37249, which are added newly in CPT code section from 2017. These CPT codes describe angioplasty procedures in the aorta and the brachiocephalic (and branches), renal, visceral arteries and venous region. There are two initial and two add-on codes for both arteries and veins. We have already discussed about the new CPT code changes of 2019 and the new epidural steroid injection codes as well.

Today we focus more on the angioplasty procedure codes. So, let us check out more in detail about CPT codes 37246, 37247, 37248 and 37249. 

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Code description for Angioplasty CPT codes of 2017

As I have mention, that we have two CPT codes for arteries and two CPT codes for venous angioplasty. CPT code 37246 and 37247 are used for coding arterial angioplasty and CPT code 37248 and 37249 are used for coding venous angioplasty. Below is the detail description of these four CPT codes.

37246 – Transluminal balloon angioplasty (except lower extremity artery(ies) for occlusive disease, intracranial, coronary, pulmonary, or dialysis circuit), open or percutaneous, including all imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation necessary to perform the angioplasty within the same artery; initial artery

37247 – Transluminal balloon angioplasty (except lower extremity artery(ies) for occlusive disease, intracranial, coronary, pulmonary, or dialysis circuit), open or percutaneous, including all imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation necessary to perform the angioplasty within the same artery; each additional artery (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

37248 – Transluminal balloon angioplasty (except dialysis circuit), open or percutaneous, including all imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation necessary to perform the angioplasty within the same vein; initial vein

37249 – Transluminal balloon angioplasty (except dialysis circuit), open or percutaneous, including all imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation necessary to perform the angioplasty within the same vein; each additional vein (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

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As you can see above, we have an “initial” CPT code 37246 and an additional CPT code 37247 for more than one angioplasty in arteries. Same goes with veins, CPT code 37248 is used for initial angioplasty and CPT code 37248 is used for each additional venous angioplasty.

Do and Don’t of CPT code 37246, 37247, 37248 and 37249

These new CPT codes of angioplasty and venoplasty in 2017 include utilization of both percutaneous and open approaches

Do not use codes 37246-37249 for treatment of stenoses in the dialysis circuit when accessed via the dialysis circuit. We have separate new CPT codes from 36901-36907 for coding such procedures. Use CPT codes 37246-37249 only for the vessels treatment outside of the dialysis circuit.

The venous angioplasty codes apply to all venous structures including portal and mesenteric venous structures. Even for venoplasty of Pulmonary vein stenosis, we can use CPT code 37248 and 37249.

Do not code angioplasty for treatment of same vessel, that has already been treated with stent placement.

Angioplasty CPT codes are coded per vessel and not per lesion. Hence, for multiple angioplasty in same vessel will be reported with only one single CPT code.

Do not code these angioplasty CPT codes for lower extremity region. We have separate CPT codes for angioplasty, stent and atherectomy procedures for lower extremity.