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Official Description

Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein, extremity, by transcatheter delivery of a chemical adhesive (eg, cyanoacrylate) remote from the access site, inclusive of all imaging guidance and monitoring, percutaneous; first vein treated

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent extremity vein(s) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat chronic venous insufficiency, a condition often characterized by symptoms such as pain, skin pigment changes, inflammation, induration, and ulcerations. This therapy utilizes a transcatheter delivery method to administer a chemical adhesive, such as cyanoacrylate, to the affected vein. The procedure is performed remote from the access site, ensuring that the treatment is both effective and precise. The chemical adhesive works by forming a polymer upon contact with blood, which leads to changes in the vascular intima and ultimately results in fibrosis of the targeted vessel. This process effectively closes off the incompetent vein, redirecting blood flow to healthier veins and alleviating the symptoms associated with venous insufficiency. Prior to the procedure, the affected vein(s) are meticulously mapped using venous duplex imaging, allowing for a tailored treatment plan. The procedure is conducted under local anesthesia and with the aid of ultrasound guidance, ensuring accurate access and treatment of the vein.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein is indicated for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, which may present with the following symptoms and conditions:

  • Pain - Patients may experience discomfort or pain in the affected extremity due to venous insufficiency.
  • Skin Pigment Changes - Alterations in skin color may occur as a result of venous stasis and chronic inflammation.
  • Inflammation - The affected veins may become inflamed, contributing to further complications.
  • Induration - Thickening of the skin or underlying tissues may develop in response to chronic venous issues.
  • Ulcerations - In severe cases, venous ulcers may form due to poor blood circulation and tissue oxygenation.

2. Procedure

The procedure for endovenous ablation therapy involves several detailed steps to ensure effective treatment of the incompetent vein:

  • Mapping the Vein - The first step involves using venous duplex imaging to carefully map the affected extremity vein(s). This imaging allows the physician to visualize the vein's anatomy and establish a precise treatment plan.
  • Preparation and Anesthesia - Once the treatment plan is established, the extremity is prepped and draped in a sterile manner. Local anesthetic is then injected at the catheter access site to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
  • Accessing the Vein - Under ultrasound guidance, the target vein is identified. A guidewire insertion needle is used to access the vein, followed by the advancement of a micro access guidewire into the vein. The insertion needle is subsequently removed.
  • Advancing the Sheath - A micro access sheath-dilator is advanced over the guidewire, and the guidewire is removed. A J-wire is then advanced through the sheath to the lumen of the vein, positioning it at the targeted treatment area, which is verified with ultrasound.
  • Introducing the Adhesive Kit - The sheath is removed, and the introducer-dilator from the adhesive kit is advanced over the J-wire to the targeted treatment area. The J-wire and dilator are then removed, and the introducer is flushed with saline to prepare for the adhesive.
  • Injecting the Adhesive - The adhesive is drawn into a syringe, attached to the catheter, and loaded into the dispenser. The catheter is primed with adhesive, and the ultrasound probe is positioned above the tip of the catheter. The vein is compressed, and the adhesive is injected via the dispenser.
  • Completing the Procedure - The catheter is pulled back at measured intervals while injecting the adhesive along the length of the vein. The ultrasound probe is used to compress and close the vessel as the adhesive is administered. Finally, the catheter is removed, and a bandage is applied to the access wound.

3. Post-Procedure

After the endovenous ablation therapy, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. It is important to follow post-procedure care instructions, which may include keeping the access site clean and dry, avoiding strenuous activities for a specified period, and wearing compression garments as recommended. Patients should also be advised to monitor for any signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or changes in skin color at the treatment site. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the effectiveness of the procedure and to ensure proper healing.

Short Descr ENDOVEN THER CHEM ADHES 1ST
Medium Descr ENDOVEN ABLTI THER CHEM ADHESIVE 1ST VEIN
Long Descr Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein, extremity, by transcatheter delivery of a chemical adhesive (eg, cyanoacrylate) remote from the access site, inclusive of all imaging guidance and monitoring, percutaneous; 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) none
MUE 1

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

36483 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein, extremity, by transcatheter delivery of a chemical adhesive (eg, cyanoacrylate) remote from the access site, inclusive of all imaging guidance and monitoring, percutaneous; 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).
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.
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
AG Primary physician
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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).
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.
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.)
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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).
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
RI Ramus intermedius coronary artery
UA Medicaid level of care 10, as defined by each state
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
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
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2018-01-01 Added Code Added.
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