How To Use CPT Code 36217

CPT 36217 describes the selective catheter placement within a vascular family, specifically in the initial third order or more selective thoracic or brachiocephalic branch. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 36217?

CPT 36217 can be used to describe the placement of a catheter into a specific branch within a vascular family, specifically the initial third order or more selective thoracic or brachiocephalic branch. This code is used when the provider performs angiography of these arteries by advancing the catheter into each branch.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 36217 is: ‘Selective catheter placement, arterial system; initial third order or more selective thoracic or brachiocephalic branch, within a vascular family.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider gains access to the blood vessels, typically through the femoral artery, by making a small incision in the skin and inserting a catheter.
2. The catheter is guided through the arteries to the specific branch within the vascular family that needs to be visualized.
3. Contrast material is injected through the catheter, and X-ray or fluoroscopic images are taken to visualize the blood vessels.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible for CPT 36217 are those who require angiography of the initial third order or more selective thoracic or brachiocephalic branch within a vascular family. This procedure is typically performed to diagnose or evaluate conditions related to these specific arteries. The provider must have the necessary expertise to perform the catheter placement and angiography.

5. When to use CPT code 36217

CPT code 36217 should be used when the provider performs selective catheter placement into the initial third order or more selective thoracic or brachiocephalic branch within a vascular family. This code is specific to this particular procedure and should not be used for nonselective catheter placement or for catheter placement in other branches or vessels.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 36217, the provider must document the following information:

• Indication for the procedure and the need for angiography of the specific branch within the vascular family
• Details of the catheter placement, including the access point, approach (ipsilateral or contralateral), and highest level reached
• Description of the imaging studies performed

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 36217, ensure that the catheter placement is performed in the initial third order or more selective thoracic or brachiocephalic branch within a vascular family. Do not report CPT 36217 if nonselective catheter placement has already been performed in the same access and vascular family. Code all additional second or third order catheterizations and imaging studies separately.

8. Historical information

CPT 36217 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1992. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A provider performs selective catheter placement into the initial third order thoracic branch to perform angiography and evaluate a patient’s coronary arteries.
2. During a procedure, a provider advances a catheter into the more selective brachiocephalic branch to visualize and diagnose a patient’s head and neck arteries.
3. A patient undergoes selective catheter placement into the initial third order thoracic branch to assess the blood flow and condition of their aortic arch.
4. A provider performs angiography of the more selective thoracic branch by placing a catheter into the patient’s arterial system.
5. During a procedure, a provider advances a catheter into the initial third order brachiocephalic branch to evaluate and diagnose a patient’s arm and head arteries.
6. A patient undergoes selective catheter placement into the more selective thoracic branch to assess the condition of their pulmonary arteries.
7. A provider performs angiography of the initial third order brachiocephalic branch to visualize and diagnose a patient’s innominate artery.
8. During a procedure, a provider advances a catheter into the more selective thoracic branch to assess the blood flow and condition of a patient’s chest arteries.
9. A patient undergoes selective catheter placement into the initial third order brachiocephalic branch to evaluate and diagnose their subclavian artery.
10. A provider performs angiography of the more selective thoracic branch by placing a catheter into the patient’s arterial system.