Think outside the box for iliac atherectomy.

Are you ready to apply CPT’s new revascularization codes starting January 1? Check out these six tips to get you on your way.

CPT 2011 offers up new codes to help you report services more accurately, including endovascular revascularization, says Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CCS, CPC-P, COBGC, CCC, manager of compliance education for the University of Washington Physicians Compliance Program in Seattle.

Specifically, CPT 2011 adds several new codes that represent lower extremity endovascular revascularization, meaning angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting. Here’s how the codes break down:

• Iliac: 37220-+37223– Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, iliac artery …
• Femoral, popliteal: 37224-37227– Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, femoral, popliteal artery(s), unilateral …
• Tibial/peroneal: 37228-+37235– Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, tibial, peroneal artery, unilateral …

In this article, iliac artery services are the focus. Look to future articles to discuss femoral, popliteal, and tibial/peroneal services.

Watch Procedure and Vessel to Choose Among 37220-+37223

The new iliac service codes are as follows:

• 37220– Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, iliac artery, unilateral, initial vessel; with transluminal angioplasty
• 37221– … with transluminal stent placement(s), includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed
• +37222– Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, iliac artery, each additional ipsilateral iliac vessel; with transluminal angioplasty (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• +37223– … with transluminal stent placement(s), includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).

Reading through the definitions, you see that the codes for iliac services differ based on whether you’re coding a service in an initial vessel or in an additional vessel. Your options also differ based on whether you’re reporting (1) angioplasty alone or…