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Official Description

Venography, caval, superior, with serialography, radiological supervision and interpretation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 75827 refers to a specialized imaging procedure known as venography, specifically targeting the superior vena cava. This procedure involves the use of radiological techniques to visualize the blood vessels, particularly the superior vena cava, which is a major vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the heart. During this procedure, a physician administers a contrast medium through an injection into the superior vena cava or another related blood vessel, such as the femoral vein. The purpose of this injection is to enhance the visibility of the blood vessels on the radiographs that will be taken subsequently. The term 'serialography' indicates that a series of radiographs may be captured at specific time intervals, allowing for a detailed observation of blood flow dynamics. The physician is responsible for overseeing the entire radiological process, ensuring that the imaging is conducted correctly and safely. After the imaging is completed, the physician interprets the radiographs and documents the findings in a written report. This procedure is crucial for diagnosing various vascular conditions and assessing the integrity of the superior vena cava.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 75827 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where visualization of the superior vena cava is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this venography:

  • Assessment of Vascular Obstruction The procedure is utilized to evaluate potential blockages or obstructions in the superior vena cava that may affect blood flow.
  • Investigation of Thrombosis Venography can help identify the presence of blood clots within the superior vena cava, which can lead to serious complications.
  • Evaluation of Vascular Malformations This procedure is indicated for assessing congenital or acquired vascular anomalies that may involve the superior vena cava.
  • Preoperative Planning Venography may be performed to provide critical information prior to surgical interventions involving the superior vena cava or surrounding structures.

2. Procedure

The venography procedure as described by CPT® Code 75827 involves several key steps to ensure accurate imaging and interpretation. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the area where the injection will occur is cleaned and prepared to minimize the risk of infection. The physician may explain the procedure to the patient to ensure understanding and cooperation.
  • Step 2: Injection of Contrast Media A contrast medium is injected into the superior vena cava or an alternative blood vessel, such as the femoral vein. This contrast agent enhances the visibility of the blood vessels during imaging.
  • Step 3: Radiographic Imaging Following the injection, a series of radiographs are obtained. If serialography is performed, these images are captured at timed intervals using a high-speed camera to monitor the flow of blood through the superior vena cava.
  • Step 4: Radiological Supervision Throughout the procedure, the physician supervises the radiological component, ensuring that the imaging is conducted correctly and that the quality of the images is adequate for interpretation.
  • Step 5: Interpretation of Results After the imaging is completed, the physician reviews the radiographs, analyzes the flow of blood, and provides a comprehensive written interpretation of the findings, which is documented for further clinical use.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the venography procedure, the patient may be monitored for any immediate adverse reactions to the contrast media. It is essential to ensure that the injection site is clean and free from complications such as bleeding or infection. The physician will provide the patient with post-procedure care instructions, which may include recommendations for hydration to help flush the contrast material from the body. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results of the venography and any further diagnostic or therapeutic steps that may be necessary based on the findings.

Short Descr VEIN X-RAY CHEST
Medium Descr VENOGRAPHY CAVAL SUPERIOR SERIALOGRAPHY RS&I
Long Descr Venography, caval, superior, with serialography, radiological supervision and interpretation
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 6 - Special payment adjustment rules on the technical component (TC) of multiple diagnostic cardiovascular services 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) 0 - 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 T-Packaged Codes
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 4 - Diagnostic Radiology
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I4B - Imaging/procedure - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 191 - Arterio- or venogram (not heart and head)

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

37252 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; initial noncoronary vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
37253 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; each additional noncoronary vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
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.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main 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).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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
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
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
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
Date
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2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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