CPT code 34151 denotes an open surgical thrombectomy or embolectomy of abdominal visceral or aortoiliac arteries, involving an abdominal incision and direct removal of an arterial clot with or without catheter assistance. This procedure is clinically important for reestablishing perfusion to kidneys, intestines, or pelvic structures and can be lifesaving or organ-preserving in acute arterial occlusion. Nationally, appropriate coding for this procedure affects hospital billing, surgical quality reporting, and resource utilization for vascular and general surgery services.

Key payers considered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of clinical indications and typical sites of service, guidance on common billing modifiers and coding context, and comparative benchmarks where available. The publication outlines common documentation elements that justify the use of CPT code 34151, highlights related procedure groupings, and summarizes payer coverage considerations and prior authorization patterns when public information is available. The piece also provides a brief look at procedural variations — open versus catheter-assisted techniques — and how those differences map to coding and billing practice.

Data not available in the input: Associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service-line financial benchmarks.