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Official Description

Transcatheter permanent occlusion or embolization (eg, for tumor destruction, to achieve hemostasis, to occlude a vascular malformation), percutaneous, any method; non-central nervous system, head or neck (extracranial, brachiocephalic branch)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 61626 refers to a specific medical procedure known as transcatheter permanent occlusion or embolization, which is performed on non-central nervous system (CNS) arteries located in the head or neck, specifically the extracranial and brachiocephalic branch arteries. This procedure is utilized for various clinical indications, including tumor destruction, achieving hemostasis, or occluding vascular malformations. The term 'transcatheter' indicates that the procedure is performed through a catheter that is inserted into the vascular system, allowing for minimally invasive access to the targeted area. The occlusion or embolization process involves blocking or obstructing blood flow to a specific vessel, which can be critical in managing conditions such as tumors or abnormal blood vessel formations. The procedure is performed percutaneously, meaning it is done through the skin, typically using a needle to access the blood vessel. This approach minimizes the need for larger surgical incisions, thereby reducing recovery time and associated risks. The procedure is guided by imaging techniques to ensure precision in targeting the affected vessels, and it includes a series of steps that involve the use of specialized catheters and occlusion devices or embolizing agents to achieve the desired therapeutic outcome.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The transcatheter permanent occlusion or embolization procedure (CPT® Code 61626) is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Tumor Destruction - This procedure is performed to obstruct blood flow to tumors, effectively leading to their destruction.
  • Achieve Hemostasis - It is utilized to control bleeding by occluding the blood vessels that are contributing to hemorrhage.
  • Occlude a Vascular Malformation - The procedure is indicated for the treatment of abnormal blood vessel formations, which may pose risks of bleeding or other complications.

2. Procedure

The procedure for transcatheter permanent occlusion or embolization involves several critical steps:

  • Access and Puncture - The physician begins by selecting an appropriate access artery, which is then punctured using a needle to gain entry into the vascular system.
  • Introducer Sheath Placement - An introducer sheath is placed over the needle, allowing for the needle to be withdrawn while maintaining access to the artery.
  • Guidewire Insertion - A guidewire is inserted through the introducer sheath and advanced to the target vessel, facilitating the subsequent placement of the angiography catheter.
  • Diagnostic Angiography - An angiography catheter is advanced over the guidewire, and the guidewire is then removed. Diagnostic angiography is performed to confirm the presence of the vascular anomaly and to evaluate the surrounding vasculature before proceeding with the occlusion or embolization.
  • Catheter Positioning - After completing the diagnostic angiography, the angiography catheter is positioned in the artery that is to be occluded.
  • Reintroduction of Guidewire - A guidewire is reintroduced through the catheter and advanced to the target vessel to facilitate the next steps.
  • Embolization Catheter Advancement - The angiography catheter is removed, and an embolization or occlusion catheter is advanced over the guidewire to the target site.
  • Neurological Examination - A neurological examination is conducted prior to the placement of the occlusion device or the injection of the embolizing agent to ensure the patient's neurological status is stable.
  • Deployment of Occlusion Device or Injection of Embolizing Agent - The occlusion device is inserted through the catheter and deployed, or the embolizing agent is injected into the targeted vessel.
  • Contrast Injection - Contrast material is injected to confirm that the vessel has been successfully occluded.
  • Post-Procedure Neurological Examination - A final neurological examination is performed to verify the patient's neurological stability following the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the transcatheter permanent occlusion or embolization procedure, the patient is monitored for any immediate complications. A post-procedure neurological examination is essential to confirm that the patient remains neurologically stable. Depending on the patient's condition and the complexity of the procedure, additional follow-up care may be required to ensure proper recovery and to monitor for any potential complications related to the occlusion or embolization. The healthcare team will provide specific instructions regarding activity restrictions, signs of complications to watch for, and follow-up appointments to assess the effectiveness of the procedure.

Short Descr TRANSCATH OCCLUSION NON-CNS
Medium Descr TCAT PERMANT OCCLUSION/EMBOLIZATION PRQ NON-CNS
Long Descr Transcatheter permanent occlusion or embolization (eg, for tumor destruction, to achieve hemostasis, to occlude a vascular malformation), percutaneous, any method; non-central nervous system, head or neck (extracranial, brachiocephalic branch)
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) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
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
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 59 - Other OR procedures on vessels of head and neck

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

69990 Addon Code MPFS Status: Restricted APC N ASC N1 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article 1Microsurgical techniques, requiring use of operating microscope (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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).
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.
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.)
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2003-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
1992-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1992.
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