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Official Description

Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein, extremity, inclusive of all imaging guidance and monitoring, percutaneous, mechanochemical; first vein treated

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Percutaneous mechanochemical endovenous ablation (MOCA) therapy is a minimally invasive procedure designed to address venous incompetence or venous insufficiency in an extremity. This technique employs a combination of mechanical and chemical methods to treat affected veins. During the procedure, a rotating wire within a catheter disrupts the endothelial lining of the vein, causing mechanical damage without the application of heat. Simultaneously, a sclerosant is injected, which chemically damages the disrupted vein wall, effectively closing off the incompetent vein. This approach eliminates the need for tumescent anesthesia, making the procedure less invasive and potentially more comfortable for the patient. Imaging guidance is utilized to accurately locate the targeted vein, ensuring precise treatment. Local anesthesia is administered at the access site to minimize discomfort. The procedure involves the introduction of a sheath into the vein, followed by the catheter, which is carefully advanced under imaging guidance until the tip of the dispersion wire is positioned just distal to the treatment area. The rotating wire is activated to induce spasm in the proximal vein, and as the catheter is withdrawn at a controlled pace, it disperses the liquid sclerosant to the damaged vein wall. The total volume of sclerosant used is determined prior to the procedure, based on the length of the vein and the patient's weight. Post-procedure, patients are advised to wear compression stockings for 24 hours and during the daytime for up to two weeks to support recovery and enhance treatment outcomes.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for the treatment of venous incompetence or venous insufficiency in an extremity. This condition may manifest as symptoms such as varicose veins, swelling, pain, or discomfort in the affected limb, which can significantly impact the patient's quality of life.

  • Venous Incompetence The inability of the veins to properly return blood to the heart, leading to pooling of blood in the extremities.
  • Venous Insufficiency A condition characterized by the improper functioning of the venous valves, resulting in symptoms such as swelling, pain, and varicosities.

2. Procedure

The procedure involves several key steps to ensure effective treatment of the incompetent vein.

  • Step 1: Preparation and Imaging Guidance Prior to the procedure, imaging guidance is utilized to identify the targeted vein accurately. Local anesthesia is administered at the access site to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Introduction of Sheath and Catheter A sheath is introduced into the vein, providing access for the catheter. The catheter is then advanced along the vein under continuous imaging guidance until the tip of the dispersion wire is positioned just distal to the area designated for treatment.
  • Step 3: Activation of the Rotating Wire Once the catheter is in place, the rotating wire is activated for a few seconds. This action induces spasm in the proximal vein, preparing it for the subsequent treatment.
  • Step 4: Withdrawal and Sclerosant Dispersion The activated catheter, with the rotating wire tip, is withdrawn at a steady pace of approximately 1 cm every 7 seconds. During this withdrawal, the catheter simultaneously disperses a liquid sclerosant to the damaged vein wall, facilitating the closure of the incompetent vein.
  • Step 5: Calculation of Sclerosant Volume The total amount of sclerosant to be used is calculated before the procedure, based on the length of the vein to be treated and the patient's weight, ensuring appropriate dosing for effective treatment.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients are instructed to wear compression stockings for 24 hours to support the treated area and promote healing. Additionally, they are advised to continue wearing compression stockings during the daytime for up to two weeks. This post-procedure care is essential for optimizing recovery and enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment.

Short Descr ENDOVENOUS MCHNCHEM 1ST VEIN
Medium Descr ENDOVEN ABLTJ INCMPTNT VEIN MCHNCHEM 1ST VEIN
Long Descr Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein, extremity, inclusive of all imaging guidance and monitoring, percutaneous, mechanochemical; first vein treated
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

36474 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein, extremity, inclusive of all imaging guidance and monitoring, percutaneous, mechanochemical; subsequent vein(s) treated in a single extremity, each through separate access sites (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
AG Primary physician
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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2017-01-01 Added Added
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