Summary & Overview
CPT 35302: Superficial Femoral Artery Thrombectomy/Atherectomy
CPT code 35302 denotes the removal of thrombus and plaque from the superficial femoral artery, a vascular intervention aimed at restoring arterial blood flow to the lower extremity. This procedure is clinically significant due to its role in treating acute or chronic limb ischemia and preventing limb-threatening complications; it also carries implications for inpatient and outpatient surgical capacity and vascular specialty utilization nationwide. Key payers examined include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of what the code represents, the typical clinical and site-of-service context, and the payer landscape covered. The publication provides benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement patterns where available, summarizes relevant policy or coverage trends affecting vascular interventions, and situates CPT 35302 within clinical workflows for treating femoral artery thrombotic disease. The content is intended for health policy analysts, billing professionals, and vascular clinicians seeking a national perspective on coding, site-of-service considerations, and payer coverage patterns for superficial femoral artery thrombectomy/atherectomy.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 35302 describes a procedure in which the provider removes thrombus and plaques from a superficial femoral artery. This is an endovascular or open vascular procedure focused on clearing obstructive material from the superficial femoral artery to restore blood flow to the lower extremity.
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Service type: Arterial thrombectomy/atherectomy of the superficial femoral artery
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or catheterization laboratory (inpatient or outpatient vascular suite)
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A common patient presenting for 35302 is a 68-year-old male with progressive right lower-extremity claudication and diminished distal pulses despite medical therapy. Noninvasive vascular testing (ankle-brachial index and arterial duplex ultrasound) identifies a high-grade stenosis with thrombotic material in the superficial femoral artery. The patient is scheduled for an endovascular procedure in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital-based vascular suite under conscious sedation or general anesthesia. The vascular surgeon or interventional radiologist obtains arterial access, performs angiography to localize the lesion, and then performs thrombectomy/endarterectomy maneuvers or mechanical aspiration to remove thrombus and atheromatous plaque from the superficial femoral artery. Completion angiography confirms adequate flow and absence of residual thrombus; adjunctive angioplasty and/or stent placement may follow if significant residual stenosis persists. Post-procedure monitoring occurs in a post-anesthesia care unit with vascular checks and anticoagulation management as indicated.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When reporting only the physician’s professional interpretation or service separate from facility technical component. |