CPT code 35702 denotes a surgical exploration of a previously operated area of the upper extremity to assess for postoperative injury, thrombosis, hemorrhage, or other vascular abnormalities in arteries such as the axillary, brachial, radial, or ulnar, without proceeding to surgical repair. This code matters nationally because it captures a distinct evaluation-only operative service tied to postoperative vascular complications and defines reimbursement separate from repair procedures. Key payers typically involved in coverage and payment for this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will learn the clinical context in which 35702 is reported, how it differs from exploration with repair, and what benchmarks and policy considerations commonly apply to evaluation-only vascular procedures in the upper extremity. The publication summarizes typical sites of service, common modifiers used with this code, and payer coverage patterns where available. It also highlights coding distinctions important for claims adjudication and clinical documentation to support that exploration was diagnostic only and no repair followed. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.