Summary & Overview

CPT 93923: Complete Bilateral Noninvasive Extremity Arterial Physiologic Study

CPT code 93923 is a critical diagnostic tool for evaluating arterial blood flow in the upper or lower extremities. This procedure, performed noninvasively at three or more levels or with provocative functional maneuvers, is widely used to detect and monitor peripheral arterial disease and other circulatory complications. The code encompasses a range of physiologic studies, including ankle/brachial indices, segmental blood pressure measurements, Doppler waveform analysis, plethysmography, and transcutaneous oxygen tension assessments.

Nationally, this service is covered by major payers such as Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, Medicare, and UnitedHealthcare, reflecting its importance in vascular diagnostics. The procedure is typically conducted in vascular laboratories or outpatient diagnostic facilities, supporting timely and accurate assessment of patients with diabetes, atherosclerosis, chronic ulcers, and other vascular conditions.

Readers will gain insight into the clinical context of 93923, including its role in diagnosing and managing extremity arterial disease, payer coverage details, and relevant benchmarks. The publication also highlights policy updates and related codes, providing a comprehensive overview for healthcare professionals, administrators, and policy analysts seeking to understand the utilization and reimbursement landscape for this essential vascular diagnostic service.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthMedicareUnitedHealthcareCPT 93923vascular diagnosticsarterial physiologic studynoninvasive testingextremity arteriesoutpatient servicesclinical benchmarkspolicy updatesperipheral arterial diseasemedical billing

CPT Code Overview

CPT code 93923 represents a complete bilateral noninvasive physiologic study of upper or lower extremity arteries at three or more levels, or a single level study with provocative functional maneuvers. This diagnostic procedure is used to assess arterial blood flow and detect vascular disease in the extremities. It typically involves measurements such as ankle/brachial indices, segmental blood pressure, bidirectional Doppler waveform recording and analysis, segmental volume plethysmography, or transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements. The service is commonly performed in a vascular laboratory or outpatient diagnostic facility, often designated as place of service 22 or 11. This non-invasive study is essential for evaluating patients with suspected peripheral arterial disease or other circulatory complications affecting the limbs.

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Medicare's national mean rate for CPT code 93923 is $92.81, which is significantly lower than the BUCA (Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealth Group, Cigna, and Aetna) commercial average of $126.02. Commercial payers consistently reimburse at higher rates compared to Medicare.

Rate dispersion, measured by the difference between the 75th and 25th percentiles, varies across payers. Aetna has the tightest range at $47.69, while Cigna and UnitedHealth Group show the widest dispersions at $75.73 and $67.17, respectively. This indicates that Cigna and UnitedHealth Group have greater variability in their contracted rates, whereas Aetna's rates are more consistent.

The table and chart below present the full breakdown of national benchmarks for CPT code 93923 across major payers.

National Mean Rates for CPT 93923 by Payer