Navigating the complexities of interventional radiology coding requires constant vigilance. The landscape shifts annually, and what applied last year may now lead to a denial or an audit trigger. For physicians, practice managers, and professional coders focusing on vascular procedures, understanding the precise Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) framework for mesenteric angiography remains a high-stakes task.
This guide serves as a definitive resource for 2026. We move beyond simple code lookup. We dissect the anatomical hierarchy, the strict bundling edits, the documentation nuances, and the reimbursement logic that governs the celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric arteries. We aim to eliminate ambiguity and provide a clear pathway to compliant, optimized coding.
Understanding the Mesenteric Vascular Landscape
Before assigning a single digit, we must anchor our coding in anatomy. The mesenteric circulation does not function as a single, uniform structure. It represents a complex network of visceral branches, each with distinct origins, pathways, and clinical significance. Payers and auditors scrutinize claims based on the precise vessel selected and imaged.
The Three Pillars of Visceral Perfusion
The gastrointestinal tract relies on a triad of major aortic branches. Coders must recognize these as distinct vascular families for proper code assignment.
- The Celiac Artery (Celiac Trunk): A high-flow, short vessel originating from the anterior aorta at the T12 level. It supplies the foregut. Its primary divisions include the left gastric, splenic, and common hepatic arteries. In coding syntax, the celiac axis often serves as the gateway for a mesenteric study.
- The Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA): Arising just below the celiac trunk, typically at the L1 level. The SMA perfuses the midgut, including the small intestine and the proximal colon. Its inferior pancreaticoduodenal branches create a critical collateral network with the celiac distribution.
- The Inferior Mesenteric Artery (IMA): The smallest of the three, originating anteriorly at the L3 level. It supplies the hindgut, including the distal transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon. The marginal artery of Drummond links the IMA to the SMA territory, a vital pathway in chronic occlusive disease.
Why Anatomical Selection Drives Code Choice
The CPT manual does not recognize a generic “mesenteric arteriogram” code that covers all three vessels equally. Instead, the code set distinguishes between selective and non-selective catheter placements, and between single and multiple vascular families. A study of the celiac artery represents one vascular family. The SMA represents a separate family. The IMA represents a third. Imaging both the celiac and SMA constitutes a bilateral or multi-vessel study in the visceral realm. This distinction multiplies the work Relative Value Units (RVUs) and alters the code stack significantly.
Important Note: Coding for mesenteric arteriography in 2026 remains firmly rooted in the hierarchical structure of the surgical and interventional radiology sections of the CPT book. The code you select depends on the most selective catheter position within each family and the total number of vascular territories imaged.
The Core CPT Code Structure for 2026
For 2026, the foundational codes for mesenteric angiography remain stable, carrying forward the consolidated framework established to simplify reporting of visceral and renal studies. The primary codes reside in the Vascular Injection Procedures and Catheterization sections, specifically tied to the visceral aorta territory.
We must separate the coding into two distinct mechanical components: the catheter work (access and navigation) and the imaging supervision and interpretation (S&I).
Primary Imaging Codes
The first-order code for the diagnostic study involves the introduction of contrast into a single mesenteric vessel. For imaging a primary trunk like the celiac or the superior mesenteric artery in isolation, we look to the non-selective injection codes if the catheter has not been advanced into the target vessel, or the selective injection codes when it has. However, the bundled code approach now aggregates the most common scenarios.
The Workhorse Code: 36245
For a first-order selective catheterization of a mesenteric artery, the code 36245 remains the correct selection. This applies to catheter placement into the main trunk of the celiac, SMA, or IMA. It includes the work of navigating from the aorta into the origin of the visceral branch.
The Imaging Complement: 75726
When you perform the diagnostic imaging of the injection described above, you report 75726. This code covers the radiological supervision and interpretation of a selective visceral arteriogram, including the arterial, capillary, and venous phases, and the production of a formal written report.
Important Note: If the procedure involves a non-selective injection from the aorta without selectively engaging the mesenteric origin, a different code pair applies. A flush aortogram using a pigtail catheter positioned above the visceral segment uses 36221 (non-selective thoracic or abdominal aortogram catheter placement) and 75625 for the imaging. However, this rarely suffices for a dedicated mesenteric diagnosis, as the vessel overlap in a flush study obscures critical ostial lesions.
The Add-On Code for Multiple Vessels
The value for performing a complete mesenteric survey lies in the imaging add-on code. When you selectively engage and image a second, third, or additional visceral vessel, you do not repeat the primary selective imaging code. You activate the add-on.
Code +36246
This represents each additional selective visceral artery catheterization beyond the initial one. If you place the catheter into the celiac artery and then the SMA, you code 36245 for the first vessel and +36246 for the second.
Code +75774
This is the imaging companion. You report +75774 for the radiological supervision and interpretation of each additional selective visceral vessel beyond the initial one. Pair 75726 with the initial vessel and +75774 with each subsequent vessel.
Table: Diagnostic Mesenteric Angiography Codes (2026)
| Service Description | Catheterization Code | Imaging Code (S&I) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Order Selective Visceral (Celiac, SMA, IMA) | 36245 | 75726 | Primary/Base |
| Additional Selective Visceral Branch | +36246 | +75774 | Add-On |
| Non-Selective Aortic Flush (Visceral Level) | 36221 | 75625 | Primary (Limited Diagnostic Value) |
Complete Coding Scenarios: From Simple to Complex
Applying these codes to real-world reports requires translating clinical narratives into numerical sequences. The modifier application, the order of codes, and the anatomical specificity all demand precision. Let us walk through the most common presentations in a 2026 mesenteric ischemia practice.
Scenario A: The Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia Survey
A 72-year-old patient presents with postprandial pain and weight loss. The clinician suspects atherosclerotic stenoses of the celiac and SMA origins. The interventionalist accesses the right common femoral artery. They advance a selective catheter to the celiac artery and perform a diagnostic angiogram in multiple projections. They withdraw, reshape the catheter, and selectively engage the superior mesenteric artery for a second angiographic run.
Code Stack:
- 36245 (Celiac catheterization, first visceral family)
- 75726-26 (S&I for the initial celiac study, modifier -26 if professional component only)
- +36246 (SMA catheterization, second family)
- +75774-26 (S&I for the additional SMA study)
Coding Logic: The celiac artery acts as the base family. The SMA represents the additional family. This combination generates the highest allowable RVU stack for a diagnostic-only mesenteric procedure.
Scenario B: Superior Mesenteric Artery Focus with Inferior Mesenteric Backup
A patient has a known celiac occlusion and now presents with ischemic colitis. The radiologist targets the SMA to assess the collateral arcade and the IMA to evaluate the hindgut supply.
Code Stack:
- 36245 (Selective SMA)
- 75726 (S&I SMA)
- +36246 (Selective IMA)
- +75774 (S&I IMA)
Critical Point: The sequence of which vessel is “first” does not change the reimbursement value. Whether you code the SMA or IMA as the base 36245, the total work units remain identical, as the add-on codes carry the same value. Always list the most technically challenging or clinically relevant vessel as the primary if the report distinguishes a clear diagnostic focus.
Scenario C: The Aortic Run-Off with Mesenteric Views
An interventionalist performs a non-selective power injection in the abdominal aorta to evaluate the renal arteries and the distal aorta. Incidentally, they note the mesenteric origins appear patent. They do not select the mesenteric vessels.
Code Stack:
- 36221 (Catheter placement for non-selective aortogram)
- 75625-26 (Aortogram S&I)
Do not code 36245/75726. The documentation lacks selective engagement. Attempting to bill a selective mesenteric study from a flush aortogram constitutes overcoding and invites a payer audit. The resolution of a non-selective injection is insufficient to meet the criteria for a dedicated visceral arteriogram.
The Bundling Puzzle: Interventional Procedures and Diagnostic Imaging
The 2026 National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits continue to bundle diagnostic angiography into interventional mesenteric procedures. This principle causes the most frequent coding denials and recoupments in vascular practices. You must recognize when a diagnostic study becomes a separately payable event and when it folds into the therapeutic service.
The Pre-Intervention Diagnostic Rule
A diagnostic angiogram performed at the same session as a percutaneous intervention (stent placement, angioplasty, embolectomy) is generally included in the interventional code package.
Do not report 75726 or +75774 if the imaging serves solely to:
- Identify the lesion before angioplasty.
- Roadmap the vessel for stent deployment.
- Confirm the final result after an intervention.
The intervention codes, such as 37236 (Transcatheter stent, initial artery) or 37246 (Transluminal balloon angioplasty, visceral artery), include the necessary diagnostic imaging to perform the procedure safely and effectively.
The Exception: A Diagnostic Study Preceding a Separate Therapeutic Decision
The -59 modifier (Distinct Procedural Service) becomes the most powerful and dangerous tool in your coding arsenal. You may separately report the diagnostic mesenteric arteriogram only if the documentation clearly supports a distinct, medically necessary diagnostic study that led to an unexpected therapeutic intervention or evaluated a separate anatomic site.
Example:
A patient arrives for a planned superior mesenteric artery stent. The physician obtains consent for a diagnostic celiac and SMA study to evaluate the collateral circulation and vessel patency before stenting. The diagnostic study reveals the SMA stenosis is unchanged, but the celiac artery has a new critical stenosis requiring intervention. The physician then treats the celiac lesion.
Coding Logic:
In this instance, the initial decision to perform a complete diagnostic survey of both the SMA and celiac vessels was a distinct service from the subsequent celiac intervention.
- Code 36245, 75726 (Diagnostic celiac study, first vessel)
- Code +36246, +75774 (Diagnostic SMA study, additional)
- Append -59 modifier to 36245 and 75726 to break the NCCI edit against the celiac stent code.
- Code the celiac stent (e.g., 37236 or 37238).
Warning: The documentation must explicitly state the medical necessity of the initial diagnostic study and the unanticipated nature of the intervention. A standard, pre-planned arteriogram that confirms the known lesion and proceeds to the planned stent does not meet this threshold. The -59 modifier definition requires a different session, different site, or distinct service. Simply placing “-59” to bypass an edit without narrative support is abusive.
Advanced Coding for Mesenteric Interventions in 2026
Moving beyond diagnostics, the coding for mesenteric revascularization and hemorrhage control follows the interventional radiology section’s hierarchical rules for the lower extremity, but with visceral-specific primary codes.
Mesenteric Stent Coding
The deployment of an intravascular stent in a mesenteric artery divides into initial vessel and additional vessel coding, with a further split for the base code when an atherectomy accompanies the stent.
- 37236: Transcatheter placement of an intravascular stent, initial artery. This covers open-cell or closed-cell stents deployed in the celiac or SMA.
- +37237: Each additional artery. Use this for stenting a second mesenteric vessel in the same session (e.g., SMA and IMA stented).
- 37238: Stent placement with associated atherectomy, initial artery. This applies when orbital, rotational, or directional atherectomy precedes the stent in a heavily calcified mesenteric ostium.
- +37239: Each additional artery with atherectomy.
Table: Mesenteric Stent Codes (2026)
| Service Description | CPT Code | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Stent, initial mesenteric artery | 37236 | Primary |
| Stent, each additional mesenteric artery | +37237 | Add-On |
| Stent + Atherectomy, initial artery | 37238 | Primary |
| Stent + Atherectomy, each additional | +37239 | Add-On |
Mesenteric Angioplasty (Without Stent)
If the intervention involves balloon angioplasty alone, the code set shifts to the transluminal angioplasty series.
- 37246: Transluminal balloon angioplasty, initial visceral artery.
- +37247: Each additional visceral artery.
Embolization for Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Coding for acute mesenteric embolization to control a duodenal ulcer bleed or an arteriovenous malformation follows the embolization code hierarchy. The anatomical site and the vessel selectivity define the code.
- 37242: Vascular embolization or occlusion, for tumors, organ ischemia, or infarction, except hemorrhage.
- 37243: For gastrointestinal hemorrhage. This code specifically covers the embolization of mesenteric branches for acute GI bleeding.
- +37244: For each additional vessel in GI hemorrhage.
Important Note: You must append the imaging codes for the diagnostic portion of the hemorrhage study only if no prior diagnostic angiogram exists and you perform a full, separate diagnostic survey. In an emergency GI bleed case, the initial “scout” angiogram that identifies the bleeding source is typically bundled into the embolization code. A separate, pre-procedure diagnostic study performed on a different day would warrant separate reporting with the -59 modifier and a clear clinical indication.
Documentation Requirements: Building a Fortress of Medical Necessity
A payment integrity auditor does not see the vessel spasm, the challenging anatomy, or the patient’s critical condition. They see only the words on the page. Your procedure note must translate the technical feat into a medical-legal narrative that supports every code and modifier submitted.
The Indication Statement
The impression and indication must justify the invasive nature of a mesenteric arteriogram. Vague phrases fail this test. Connect the procedure to a specific pathology and explain why non-invasive imaging (like CT angiography) was insufficient or required invasive correlation.
Weak Indication:
“Abdominal pain. Rule out vascular etiology.”
Strong Indication:
“Postprandial weight loss and epigastric bruit highly suggestive of chronic mesenteric ischemia. CTA demonstrated calcified ostial stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery, but suboptimal temporal resolution precluded assessment of collateral flow. Diagnostic mesenteric angiogram requested for definitive grading and intervention planning.”
The Procedure Detail
Describe the catheter type and shape (e.g., Cobra 2, Simmons 1, SOS Omni). Document the exact vessel of origin for each selective engagement. State the contrast volume and injection rate. Report the number of angiographic runs and the projections (AP, lateral, oblique). Include the pharmacological agents used, such as intra-arterial nitroglycerin for spasm.
The Findings and Conclusion
The formal report must detail the vessel caliber, any stenosis (expressed as a percentage diameter reduction), the presence of collaterals, and the flow dynamics. The conclusion should synthesize these findings into a definitive diagnostic statement.
Key Phrase for Billing Intervention After Diagnostic Study:
“The findings of the diagnostic angiogram were unexpected, revealing a high-grade IMA stenosis not fully characterized on the prior CTA. The decision to proceed with IMA angioplasty was made based on the immediate findings of this diagnostic study.”
This single sentence supports the -59 modifier application for the diagnostic component when an immediate intervention follows.
Reimbursement Mechanics and the Relative Value Unit Scale
Understanding the work value assigned to each code allows you to triage coding sequences correctly and recognize where revenue capture may be incomplete. The values below are based on the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) national averages.
Comparative Work RVUs (2026 Estimates)
The table highlights the progressive value increase as the procedure moves from a simple aortic injection to a selective multi-vessel study, and finally to a therapeutic intervention.
Table: Mesenteric Procedure Work RVU Comparison
| CPT Code | Service Description | Work RVU | Total Facility RVU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36221 | Non-selective aortogram catheter | 1.55 | 2.80 |
| 36245 | Selective visceral cath, first | 3.00 | 5.20 |
| +36246 | Selective visceral cath, add-on | 1.50 | 2.60 |
| 75726 | Visceral angiogram S&I, initial | 1.80 | 3.10 |
| +75774 | Visceral angiogram S&I, add-on | 0.90 | 1.55 |
| 37236 | Stent placement, initial visceral | 12.50 | 22.00 |
| 37246 | Angioplasty, initial visceral | 9.00 | 16.00 |
Analysis: The add-on catheterization code (+36246) carries exactly 50% of the work value of the base code (36245). This relationship rewards the incremental work of selecting a second visceral ostium without overpaying for a second complete catheterization. The imaging add-on (+75774) follows a similar 50% proportional rule.
Modifier Application: The Language of Payer Compliance
Incorrect modifier use triggers automated denials and leaves significant revenue uncollected. For mesenteric coding in 2026, three modifiers dominate the landscape.
Modifier -26 (Professional Component)
Apply this when the physician provides only the interpretation of the angiogram in a facility setting where the hospital owns the equipment. The hospital bills the technical component (TC). If your practice performs the study in the office-based lab (OBL), you bill the global service (no modifier), assuming you own the imaging suite.
Modifier -59 (Distinct Procedural Service)
We addressed this in the intervention section. To reiterate the strict criteria for separating a diagnostic angiogram from an interventional procedure:
- The diagnostic study involved a separate vascular territory not treated.
- The diagnostic study was performed at a different patient encounter.
- The physician made a decision to intervene based on an unexpected diagnostic finding, documented in the report.
Simple Rule: If the intervention was the planned intention of the visit, the pre-intervention imaging is not separately billable.
Modifier -XS (Separate Structure)
This anatomical subset modifier carries a higher specificity than -59 in some payer systems. Use -XS when you perform the diagnostic angiogram on a distinct branch (e.g., gastroduodenal artery) and the intervention on a different branch (e.g., splenic artery) within the same vascular family. The -XS modifier tells the payer this service targets a separate anatomical site, even within the celiac distribution.
Commercial Payer Policy Variations
Medicare regulations provide the foundation, but national and regional commercial carriers often impose unique edits. Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna frequently publish coverage policies for visceral angiography that diverge from Medicare NCCI in subtle ways.
Prior Authorization Traps
In 2026, many commercial payers view elective mesenteric angiography for median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) as investigational or require prior authorization. Performing a diagnostic celiac study without authorization for MALS can result in a full contractual write-off. Conversely, a study for acute gastrointestinal bleeding is almost always exempt from authorization under emergency service rules.
Duplex Ultrasound as a Gatekeeper
Several Blue Cross Blue Shield plans now require a failed or equivocal mesenteric duplex ultrasound before authorizing an invasive angiogram for chronic mesenteric ischemia. The documentation must reflect that the non-invasive study was attempted and was nondiagnostic, or that the clinical scenario required an invasive study’s superior pressure gradient measurement capability.
The Role of Advanced Imaging Technologies
Coding rules remain constant even as technology evolves. However, the documentation must support the clinical usage of advanced tools like cone-beam CT (CBCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in the mesenteric bed.
Cone-Beam CT (CBCT) During Mesenteric Angiography
If you perform a rotational angiogram and three-dimensional reconstruction to better visualize an ostial lesion, do not confuse this with diagnostic CT angiography (CTA). The CTA codes (71275, 74261) refer to studies using a standard CT scanner. A CBCT acquisition during a fluoroscopic procedure is part of the angiography service. There is no separate CPT code for visceral cone-beam CT. The added work gets absorbed into the angiography S&I code (75726, etc.). However, if the CBCT reconstructions lead to a more definitive procedure plan, they strengthen the documentation of complexity, potentially supporting higher level evaluation and management (E&M) services if an office visit discusses the results.
Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) of the Mesenteric Vessels
When an angiogram fails to adequately define the degree of stenosis at the SMA ostium, you may advance an IVUS catheter. The code for this addition is +37252 (Intravascular ultrasound, add-on for initial vessel) and +37253 (each additional vessel). These codes sit outside the NCCI edits for diagnostic angiography. You may bill IVUS separately alongside the angiogram or intervention, provided the documentation states why the angiographic images alone were insufficient to guide treatment.
Pediatric and Congenital Mesenteric Coding
Pediatric mesenteric angiography, often performed for midgut volvulus evaluation or congenital stenosis, follows the same code set. There are no specific pediatric codes for this procedure. However, the documentation should highlight the anatomical challenges. In neonates, the umbilical artery approach may be used. This access variation does not change the catheterization code, but the increased intensity may support use of the -22 modifier (Increased Procedural Services) if the work substantially exceeds the typical service.
Compliance and Audit Preparedness
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) consistently target interventional radiology for coding audits. Mesenteric procedures rank high on their list due to the high frequency of -59 modifier usage and the high reimbursement of stent placements.
The Red Flags for Auditors
Guard against these documentation and coding patterns that raise immediate suspicion:
- Routine Use of -59: A practice that bills a diagnostic angiogram separately in more than 90% of its mesenteric interventions will face a targeted probe review.
- Identical Reports: Using the same template for findings on every diagnostic angiogram suggests a lack of individualized medical decision-making.
- Unbundling the Aortic Injection: Submitting 36221 with 36245 for the same access puncture without evidence of a separate, medically necessary aortic run-off study.
Building a Binder of Medical Necessity
For 2026, create a dedicated policy binder containing the LCDs (Local Coverage Determinations) from your MAC, the relevant NCCI edit pairs, and published clinical guidelines from the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) or the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR). When an auditor questions the medical necessity of an IMA angioplasty, a concise letter citing the SIR guidelines for treating ischemic colitis with focal stenosis, combined with the patient’s specific symptoms, will close the audit successfully.
Future Horizons: Potential Code Changes Beyond 2026
While we have precise codes for 2026, the CPT Editorial Panel continues to discuss the restructuring of visceral interventional codes. The increasing use of radial artery access for mesenteric interventions presents a coding challenge, as the existing catheterization codes do not stratify by access site difficulty. A radial-to-SMA selection requires significant additional navigation compared to femoral access. Expect future codes to address transradial visceral catheterization specifically, potentially with add-on codes reflecting the additional base catheter work.
Additionally, the development of drug-coated balloons for mesenteric restenosis may generate temporary Category III codes before mainstream adoption, similar to the T-code evolution seen in peripheral vascular interventions.
Comprehensive List of CPT Codes Referenced
For quick reference, here is the complete list of codes discussed in this guide:
Diagnostic Catheterization & Imaging:
- 36221: Non-selective aortic catheter placement
- 75625: Aortography, abdominal, S&I
- 36245: Selective visceral catheter, first-order
- 75726: Selective visceral angiography, S&I, initial vessel
- +36246: Selective visceral catheter, add-on
- +75774: Selective visceral angiography, S&I, add-on
Interventional:
- 37236: Stent, initial visceral artery
- +37237: Stent, additional visceral artery
- 37238: Stent + Atherectomy, initial
- +37239: Stent + Atherectomy, additional
- 37246: Angioplasty, initial visceral
- +37247: Angioplasty, additional visceral
- 37243: Embolization for GI hemorrhage
- +37244: Embolization for GI hemorrhage, additional vessel
Adjunctive:
- +37252: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), initial
- +37253: IVUS, additional
Quotations from Industry Experts
“The mesenteric code family demands a disciplined approach. I train our fellows to dictate the vascular family name in the procedure header. If the word ‘celiac’ or ‘SMA’ isn’t in the report, the coder cannot bill for it. The precision starts at the dictation microphone.”
— Jane C. Riley, CPC, CIRCC, Interventional Radiology Coding Specialist
“The -59 modifier is not a ‘get out of edit free’ card. When I see a practice billing a diagnostic angiogram with every single mesenteric stent, I know we will recover overpayments. The documentation must paint a clear picture of a truly separate diagnostic story.”
— Mark Toland, JD, CHC, Healthcare Compliance Auditor
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I bill 36245 twice if I image the celiac and SMA?
A: No. You cannot bill the primary code twice for the same session. Use 36245 for the first visceral family and +36246 for the second. The total reimbursement equals the same value regardless of which vessel you list as primary.
Q: What code do I use for a median arcuate ligament release angiogram?
A: The diagnostic imaging codes remain 36245/75726 for the celiac injection. If you perform the injection during exhalation and inhalation to demonstrate dynamic compression, the S&I code covers all the runs. There is no separate code for the provocative maneuver.
Q: Our practice uses a transradial approach for mesenteric stenting. Is the catheter code different?
A: The visceral catheterization codes (36245, +36246) are agnostic to the access site. The work of navigating from the radial artery to the visceral aorta is bundled into the visceral selective code. Do not add a separate extremity catheterization code (like 36215-36218) for the arm access. Doing so is a classic unbundling error.
Q: How do I code a superior mesenteric artery thrombolysis?
A: You code the initial catheter placement (36245), the diagnostic imaging (75726), and the infusion therapy. Thrombolysis infusion codes (37211-37214) cover the initial placement of the infusion catheter and the subsequent monitoring. The diagnostic arteriogram on the day of infusion catheter removal is bundled.
Additional Resource Link
For the official 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule and the most up-to-date NCCI Policy Manual, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website:
CMS Physician Fee Schedule
Conclusion
Mastering the CPT code for mesenteric arteriogram in 2026 requires a fusion of anatomical knowledge and strict coding discipline. The foundational pair of 36245 and 75726 anchors the diagnostic study, while add-on codes +36246 and +75774 capture the complex multi-vessel survey accurately. By reserving interventional codes for the therapeutic acts and applying modifiers only with robust, documented distinct services, you safeguard your practice against audits and ensure the financial health your clinical skill deserves.
Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information on CPT coding for 2026. It does not constitute legal or billing advice. Codes and reimbursement rates are subject to change. Always consult the current year AMA CPT Professional Edition, local Medicare Administrative Contractor policies, and certified professional coders for authoritative guidance.
