How To Use CPT Code 75825

CPT 75825 describes a specific diagnostic radiology procedure involving the veins and lymphatics. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 75825?

CPT 75825 is a code used to describe a diagnostic radiology procedure that focuses on the veins and lymphatics. This procedure involves the use of X-rays and contrast dye to obtain images of the veins and identify any abnormalities or blood clots. It is a specialized procedure that requires the expertise of a qualified healthcare professional.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 75825 is: ‘Venography, caval, inferior, with serialography, radiological supervision and interpretation.’ This procedure involves the injection of contrast dye into the veins, followed by the capture of rapid sequence images using a high-speed camera. The healthcare professional then interprets these images to reach a definitive diagnosis.

3. Procedure

1. The patient is prepped and local anesthesia is applied to the access site.
2. The healthcare professional punctures the distal vein with a needle.
3. A guidewire is inserted to assist the catheter in advancing to the inferior vena cava.
4. Once the catheter reaches the target point, the guidewire is removed.
5. The healthcare professional performs serialography, capturing a series of images at specific time intervals after contrast injection.
6. The images are interpreted by the healthcare professional to make a definitive diagnosis.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 75825 is typically performed on patients who require a diagnostic evaluation of their veins and lymphatics. This procedure is used to identify the location and degree of a blood clot or other abnormalities in the inferior vena cava. It is important that the healthcare professional performing this procedure has the necessary expertise and qualifications to ensure accurate interpretation of the images.

5. When to use CPT code 75825

CPT code 75825 should be used when a healthcare professional performs a venography procedure of the inferior vena cava, along with serialography. This code is appropriate when the procedure involves the injection of contrast dye and the capture of rapid sequence images using a high-speed camera. It is important to note that this code should not be used for other types of venography procedures or imaging studies.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 75825, the healthcare professional must document the following information:

• Patient’s medical history and reason for the procedure
• Details of the procedure, including the use of contrast dye and the specific images captured
• Date and time of the procedure
• Interpretation of the images and the resulting diagnosis
• Signature of the healthcare professional performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 75825, it is important to ensure that the procedure meets the specific requirements outlined in the code description. The healthcare professional performing the procedure should have the necessary qualifications and expertise. Additionally, it is important to follow any specific billing guidelines provided by the payer or insurance company. Modifier 26 should be appended to the radiology code if only the physician’s interpretation is being reported, while modifier TC should be appended if only the technical component is being reported.

8. Historical information

CPT 75825 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A radiologist performing venography of the inferior vena cava with serialography to evaluate a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis.
2. An interventional radiologist using CPT code 75825 to perform venography and serialography to assess the extent of venous insufficiency in a patient with chronic leg swelling.
3. A vascular surgeon utilizing CPT code 75825 to perform venography and serialography to evaluate a patient with suspected venous obstruction.
4. A cardiologist performing venography of the inferior vena cava with serialography to assess the patency of a venous stent in a patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis.
5. An interventional radiologist using CPT code 75825 to perform venography and serialography to guide the placement of a vena cava filter in a patient at high risk for pulmonary embolism.
6. A vascular surgeon utilizing CPT code 75825 to perform venography and serialography to evaluate a patient with suspected May-Thurner syndrome.
7. A radiologist performing venography of the inferior vena cava with serialography to assess the patency of a venous graft in a patient who underwent bypass surgery.
8. An interventional radiologist using CPT code 75825 to perform venography and serialography to evaluate a patient with suspected venous malformation.
9. A vascular surgeon utilizing CPT code 75825 to perform venography and serialography to assess the extent of venous reflux in a patient with chronic venous insufficiency.
10. A radiologist performing venography of the inferior vena cava with serialography to evaluate a patient with suspected Budd-Chiari syndrome.