Summary & Overview
CPT 34808: Iliac Artery Occlusive Device Placement, Add-On
CPT code 34808 represents an add–on endovascular maneuver: placement of an occlusive device into the iliac artery performed during the same session as infrarenal abdominal aortic or iliac aneurysm, false aneurysm, or dissection repair. Nationally, this code captures a targeted adjunct to primary aortic or iliac aneurysm repairs that can affect procedural complexity, resource use, and coding of combined vascular interventions. It is relevant to hospital-based vascular surgery and interventional radiology services where endovascular techniques are employed.
Key payers considered in analyses typically include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical context and service setting for CPT code 34808, guidance on how it functions as an add–on code in relation to primary aneurysm or dissection repair procedures, and an outline of what to expect when this code appears on claims. The publication also summarizes available benchmarking and policy context where present and identifies gaps where specific payer policy or data were not provided. This resource is intended for coding, billing, and reimbursement staff, health system finance teams, and clinical leaders who need a clear national-level overview of the code’s purpose and typical use.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 34808 describes an add–on endovascular procedure in which an occlusive device is placed into the iliac artery during the same operative session as repair of an infrarenal abdominal aortic or iliac aneurysm, false aneurysm, or dissection. This procedure is performed as a component of complex aortic or iliac vascular repairs and is intended to manage blood flow or seal arterial segments as part of the index repair.
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Service type: Endovascular occlusive device placement as an add–on to infrarenal aortic or iliac aneurysm/false aneurysm/dissection repair
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or endovascular suite (inpatient or outpatient hospital setting depending on clinical context)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 74-year-old male with a 5.5 cm infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm presents for endovascular repair. Preoperative CTA demonstrates an iliac artery aneurysmal segment requiring embolization to facilitate exclusion of the aneurysm sac and allow safe deployment of an iliac limb graft. In the hybrid endovascular session, after main endograft deployment and confirmation of proximal and distal seals, the vascular surgeon places an occlusive device into the ipsilateral common iliac artery to intentionally occlude flow and prevent type II or distal endoleak, enabling extension of the stent graft into the external iliac artery. The procedure is performed in an interventional vascular suite under general anesthesia with fluoroscopic guidance. Intraoperative steps include vascular access (common femoral), diagnostic angiography, deployment of the occlusive device into the iliac artery, post-deployment angiography to confirm vessel occlusion and exclusion of the aneurysm, and hemostasis at access sites. Postoperative workflow includes recovery monitoring for limb perfusion, pulse checks, and imaging follow-up (duplex or CTA) to confirm aneurysm exclusion and absence of endoleak. Typical sites of service are an inpatient operating room or hospital outpatient/ambulatory surgery center depending on case complexity and admission status. The service type is an endovascular add-on interventional vascular procedure performed contemporaneously with infrarenal abdominal aortic or iliac aneurysm repair.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services |