June 14, 2018

Question:
I was told that diagnostic angiograms are always included in iliac, femoral and tibial angioplasty and stents. Is that true?

Answer:
No. Diagnostic angiograms with lower extremity revascularizations, are separately reported as long as the patient has not had a recent, adequate diagnostic angiogram.  For CPT this means a catheter based angiogram. For Medicare this means a catheter based angiogram or a CTA. Remember, all catheterization is included in the lower extremity revascularization.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 06/14/18.