CPT 37609 Temporal Artery Ligation Reimbursement | OpenPayer

Summary & Overview

CPT 37609: Temporal Artery Ligation for Aneurysm Treatment

CPT code 37609 denotes surgical ligation of the temporal artery, often performed to treat a temporal artery aneurysm and sometimes accompanied by a biopsy. This code captures a targeted vascular surgical intervention and is relevant to vascular surgeons, otolaryngologists, and surgical centers. Nationally, accurate coding of this procedure affects claims adjudication, facility and professional payment, and clinical documentation at hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, common billing considerations, and the service and site settings associated with the code. The publication summarizes benchmarks and payment considerations where available and highlights policy or coding guidance relevant to facility and professional reporting.

This analysis helps providers and billing teams understand the clinical intent of the code, typical settings where the procedure is furnished, and which major payers are commonly involved in coverage and claims processing. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare37609CPTtemporal-arteryarterial-ligationsurgical-procedurevascular-surgeryambulatory-surgeryoperating-room

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 37609 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider makes incisions in front of the ears to locate and ligate the temporal artery. The procedure may include optional biopsy of the artery. The primary clinical intent is treatment of a temporal artery aneurysm.

Service type: Surgical vascular procedure (arterial ligation with possible biopsy)
Typical site of service: Operating room or ambulatory surgical center, under appropriate anesthesia

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 62-year-old patient presents with a pulsatile, tender temporal mass and localized pain over the superficial temporal artery consistent with a temporal artery aneurysm. After clinical evaluation and duplex ultrasound confirming a confined aneurysmal dilation of the superficial temporal (temporal) artery, the vascular or head and neck surgical team schedules a focused outpatient operative procedure. In the preoperative workflow the surgeon reviews anticoagulation, obtains informed consent including discussion of possible biopsy, and coordinates anesthesia (local with monitored anesthesia care or general if required). Intraoperatively the provider makes an incision anterior to the ear to identify and isolate the temporal artery, then ligates the artery proximally and distally with suture or clamp and excises the aneurysmal segment as indicated; an optional arterial biopsy may be taken for histopathology. Hemostasis is confirmed, wound is closed, and the patient is monitored in a post-anesthesia recovery area with discharge instructions for wound care and activity restrictions. Typical sites of service are an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or hospital outpatient surgical department. Common clinical team members include a vascular surgeon, otolaryngologist or general surgeon, a circulating nurse, scrub tech, and anesthesia provider when indicated.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician’s professional portion separate from technical facility charges (rare for this procedure).

CPT 37718: Short Saphenous Vein Stripping for Varicose Veins

CPT-37605-CAROTID-ARTERY-LIGATION-OPEN-VASCULAR-SURGERY

CPT 37605: Ligation of Internal or Common Carotid Artery

CPT-37700-LIGATION-DIVISION-LONG-SAPHENOUS-VEIN-VARICOSE-VEINS

CPT 37700: Ligation and Division of Long Saphenous Vein for Varicose Veins

CPT-37617-ABDOMINAL-ARTERY-LIGATION-TRAUMA

CPT 37617: Ligation of Ruptured Abdominal Artery

CPT-37766-PHLEBECTOMY-VARICOSE-VEIN-EXCISION-20-PLUS-INCISIONS

CPT 37766: Excision of Varicose Veins (20+ Small Incisions)

CPT-37607-ARTERIOVENOUS-FISTULA-LIGATION

CPT 37607: Ligation of Artificial Arteriovenous Fistula

CPT-37660-OPEN-ABDOMINAL-LIGATION-COMMON-ILIAC-VEIN

CPT 37660: Open Abdominal Ligation of Common Iliac Vein

CPT-37619-INFERIOR-VENA-CAVA-LIGATION-VENOUS-SURGICAL-PROCEDURE

CPT 37619: Inferior Vena Cava Ligation to Narrow Vessel Diameter

CPT-37615-NECK-ARTERY-LIGATION-TRAUMA

CPT 37615: Ligation of Ruptured Neck Artery Due to Trauma

CPT-37722-GREAT-SAPHENOUS-VEIN-STRIPPING-VARICOSE-VEINS

CPT 37722: Great Saphenous Vein Stripping for Varicose Veins

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Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207P00000X	Vascular Surgery	Primary specialty typically performing arterial ligation and aneurysm repair of superficial temporal artery.
207G00000X	Otolaryngology (ENT)	Head and neck surgeons commonly perform anterior ear/temporal approaches and manage temporal artery pathology.
207Q00000X	General Surgery	General surgeons with vascular experience may perform ligation/excision of superficial temporal artery lesions.
2080S0015X	Interventional Cardiology/Vascular	Providers with vascular intervention training occasionally involved when endovascular options are considered (less common).
207L00000X	Plastic Surgery	Plastic surgeons may be involved for complex reconstruction or cosmetic considerations after excision.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`I77.2`	Aneurysm of other specified arteries	Directly describes aneurysm of superficial arteries such as temporal artery when anatomically appropriate.
`I78.1`	Telangiectasia	May be listed when local vascular malformations or superficial arterial anomalies prompt evaluation; less specific.
`I80.9`	Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of unspecified site	Not typical but may be used if thrombotic complication is present in superficial vessels.
`L98.8`	Other specified disorders of skin and subcutaneous tissue	Used adjunctively for cutaneous manifestations or ulceration overlying arterial lesion.
`R22.9`	Localized swelling, mass and lump, unspecified	Used for documentation of a palpable temporal mass prior to definitive diagnosis.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`12031`	Repair, intermediate wound, 2.5 cm to 7.5 cm	May be used for layered closure of the incision when the repair complexity and length meet criteria.
`99223`	Initial hospital inpatient care, typically 70 minutes or more	Use when the patient requires admission and comprehensive initial hospital care related to the procedure.
`99152`	Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician performing the diagnostic or therapeutic service (initial 15 minutes)	Applied if the surgeon/physician provides monitored anesthesia care or moderate sedation during the procedure (check payer rules).
`88305`	Surgical pathology, intermediate complexity (e.g., biopsy)	Use when the excised arterial specimen or biopsy is submitted for histopathologic evaluation.
`31231`	Nasal/sinus endoscopy (diagnostic)	Data not directly provided; included only if endoscopic assessment is performed as part of differential workup (rare).

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