| by AJ Riviezzo |
| We continue to get a few questions on when you can and cannot use the 36465 code for Varithena. There is a bit of a disconnect between the FDA indication for Varithena: “for the treatment of incompetent Great Saphenous Veins, accessory saphenous veins and visible varicosities of the great saphenous vein system above and below the knee” versus the AMA CPT-1 code descriptor and guidance provided in the AMA CPT code Assistant dated March, 2018.
The AMA approved the CPT code 36465 for use only with truncal veins which include the GSV, Anterior Accessory and Posterior Accessory veins, small saphenous vein, and the intersaphenous vein, (vein of Giacomini).
One word of caution as well! We have heard of ‘other’ veins being labeled as accessory veins to try to by-pass the more restrictive AMA wording. If these charts are audited, you may be required to refund the money. |
Your information is deceptive. Small saphenous vein is NOT approved for treatment with Varithena.
Injection of non-compounded foam sclerosant with ultrasound compression maneuvers to guide dispersion of the injectate, inclusive of all imaging guidance and monitoring; single incompetent extremity truncal vein (i.e., great saphenous vein, accessory saphenous vein)
May CPT code 36471 be billed with CPT code 36465?