CPT code 35351 denotes surgical removal of thrombus and atherosclerotic plaque from an iliac artery. Nationally, this procedure is an important vascular intervention to re-establish arterial patency in patients with limb- or organ-threatening ischemia. It carries significance for hospitals, vascular surgeons, and payers because of its clinical urgency, potential for perioperative resource use, and implications for post-procedure monitoring and secondary prevention.

Key payers covered in typical analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, benchmarks that typically accompany procedural coding analyses, and policy-relevant considerations affecting coverage and site-of-service determination. The publication outlines common service settings, expected coding considerations, and areas where payer policies can influence authorization and payment processes.

This summary prepares clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts to interpret billing for iliac artery thrombectomy/endarterectomy procedures, compare reimbursement and utilization patterns across major payers, and understand where updates to coding guidance or payer policy may affect clinical and administrative workflows.