CPT code 35246 denotes surgical repair of an abnormal or injured intrathoracic blood vessel using a vein graft without cardiopulmonary bypass. This high-acuity procedure is performed in the operating room, typically during inpatient hospital encounters, and addresses life- or limb-threatening intrathoracic vascular injuries or pathologies. Nationally, accurate coding of procedures like 35246 affects quality measurement, claims adjudication, and resource allocation for cardiothoracic and vascular surgical services.

Key payers in the scope of typical coverage and benchmarking include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and billing implications for 35246, followed by benchmark considerations and common payer policies where available. The publication will cover coding definitions, typical site of service, and the clinical scenarios that justify this procedure, and will indicate where input data is not available.

This analysis is intended for a national audience of coding professionals, revenue cycle staff, and clinical leaders seeking clarity on the clinical description and billing context of CPT code 35246. Data not available in the input will be noted explicitly in the relevant sections.