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    OpenPayerBilling CodesArterial Mechanical Thrombectomy ProceduresCPT cpt-37185-add-on-endovascular-thrombectomy-combined-technique
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    CPT 37185: Mechanical Thrombectomy with Thrombolytic Injection, Add-on

    Medicare pays $475 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 37185 is an add-on endovascular procedure code for treatment of an occlusion in a second or subsequent noncoronary, non‑intracranial artery or arterial bypass graft using a combined mechanical thrombectomy with pharmacologic thrombolytic injection performed under fluoroscopic guidance after an initial vessel in the same vascular family is treated with the same method; this represents an endovascular thrombectomy service typically performed by vascular or interventional specialists in an angiography suite or hospital interventional radiology/catheterization laboratory (endovascular procedure).

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM), Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®), Lumbar Microdiscectomy.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 68-year-old with peripheral arterial occlusive disease who presents with acute limb ischemia of the lower extremity characterized by sudden onset of worsening pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, and paralysis. After initial assessment with duplex ultrasound and/or CT angiography confirming thrombotic occlusion in multiple tibial or femoropopliteal arteries or in an arterial bypass graft, the vascular interventional team proceeds to catheter-based intervention in an angiography suite or hybrid operating room. The provider performs mechanical thrombectomy with fluoroscopic guidance to remove thrombus from an initial affected artery or graft and administers intra-arterial pharmacologic thrombolytic injection. When a second (or subsequent) artery or bypass graft within the same noncoronary, non‑intracranial vascular family requires the same combined mechanical plus pharmacologic approach during the same session, CPT 37185 is reported as the add-on code. Typical workflow steps: pre-procedure informed consent and coagulation/anticoagulation review; vascular access (commonly common femoral artery); baseline angiography; mechanical thrombectomy under fluoroscopic guidance of the first vessel with local thrombolytic infusion as indicated; reassessment angiography; repeat mechanical thrombectomy and thrombolytic injection in the second (and subsequent) vessel(s) using the same technique; completion angiogram; hemostasis and post-procedure monitoring in an inpatient or observation setting if necessary. Typical site of service: hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient (ambulatory surgical center if equipped), or hybrid angiography suite. Service type: endovascular interventional radiology / vascular surgery procedure with image guidance and thrombolytic administration.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    37184Transcatheter mechanical thrombectomy, noncoronary, nonintracranial, initial vessel (includes fluoroscopic guidance) with pharmacologic thrombolytic injectionReported for the first treated vessel; 37185 is reported as an add-on for the second and subsequent vessels when the same combined technique is used.
    36215Selective catheter placement, arterial system; each first order thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic branch vessel, with angiographyOften performed before thrombectomy to selectively catheterize target arteries for angiography and device delivery.
    75710Angiography, extremity, unilateral, radiological supervision and interpretationUsed for diagnostic angiography of the affected limb to identify level and extent of occlusion prior to or after thrombectomy.
    37220Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, by catheter; iliac artery, with transluminal stent placement(s), includes angioplasty when performedMay be performed after thrombus removal if residual stenosis requires angioplasty and stent placement.
    36016Introduction of needle and/or catheter into artery for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, percutaneous, femoral approach; each catheterRepresents vascular access codes commonly reported when arterial access is obtained for procedure.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    246W00000X
    207RR0500X
    2472V0600X
    207SG0203X
    163WM0705X
    3336N0007X
    207R00000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Neurology/Neurosurgery1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Clinical Review Criteria Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM)Kaiser Permanente2027-01-01
    Remote Electrical Neuromodulation for Migraines (i.e., Nerivio®)bcbsvermont2026-11-01
    Lumbar Microdiscectomyuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Artificial Cervical Intervertebral Discuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Lumbar Decompressionuniverahealthcare2026-10-15
    Responsive Neurostimulation for Focal EpilepsyPremera Bluecross2026-10-14
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Intraoperative MonitoringProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    High-Intensity Focused UltrasoundMass General Brigham Health Plan2026-10-01
    Vagal Nerve StimulationAmbetter Nevada2026-10-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-37184-ENDOVASCULAR-THROMBECTOMY-CATHETER-THROMBOLYSIS

    CPT 37184: Mechanical Thrombectomy with Thrombolytic Injection

    CPT-37186-ENDOVASCULAR-THROMBECTOMY-NONCORONARY-ARTERY

    CPT 37186: Catheter-Directed Thrombus/Embolus Removal from Noncoronary Artery

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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