Summary & Overview

CPT 62294: Embolization of Spinal Cord Arteriovenous Malformation

CPT code 62294 represents endovascular embolization of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the spinal cord using particles or glue to occlude the lesion’s blood supply. As a high-acuity, procedure-based code performed by interventional neuroradiologists or neurosurgeons, it is clinically significant for managing spinal vascular lesions that can produce progressive myelopathy or hemorrhage. Nationally, this code reflects specialized hospital-based services that affect utilization, resource allocation, and payer policy for complex neurovascular care.

Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of care, and the scope of services encompassed by the code. The publication also summarizes payer coverage patterns and benchmarks where available, highlights relevant policy updates that affect authorization and facility billing, and clarifies coding relationships to related neurointerventional services.

This summary is intended for clinicians, coding professionals, and policy analysts who need a clear, national-level understanding of CPT code 62294, its clinical role, and the policy and billing considerations that commonly accompany high-complexity spinal AVM embolization.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicareCPT 62294spinal AVMembolizationinterventional neuroradiologyendovascular neurosurgeryangiography suitehospital outpatientprocedure coding

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 62294 describes an endovascular procedure in which the provider embolizes an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the spinal cord by injecting particles or adhesive agents (glue) to occlude its blood supply. This is an interventional neuroradiology or endovascular neurosurgery service focused on vascular lesion obliteration within the spinal canal.

Service type: Endovascular embolization of spinal cord AVM

Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient or outpatient angiography suite / interventional radiology suite

Data not available in the input.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 45-year-old patient presents with progressive lower extremity weakness, back pain, and intermittent sensory changes. MRI and spinal angiography confirm a spinal cord arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with a nidus at the thoracic level and feeders from segmental radiculomedullary arteries. The patient is scheduled for an endovascular embolization procedure under general anesthesia. The interventional neuroradiology team obtains arterial access (commonly femoral or radial), performs selective catheterization of feeding vessels, and injects embolic particles or liquid embolic agents (glue) to occlude the AVM nidus and reduce arteriovenous shunting. Intra-procedural angiography verifies devascularization. Post-procedure, the patient is observed in a monitored setting for neurologic changes and access-site complications, with follow-up imaging planned to assess treatment efficacy.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the physician component separate from the facility or technical portion when applicable (e.g., interpretation separate from imaging facility charge).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the embolization is partially completed or the intended extent of embolization is not performed.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but terminated due to patient condition or unforeseen complications.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties share responsibility for distinct portions of the procedure.
`66`	Surgical team	Use when a surgical team approach is documented for complex procedures requiring multiple surgeons.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating room	Use when the patient returns to the OR for a related procedure during the global period.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when a documented assistant surgeon provided intraoperative technical assistance.
`81`	Minimum assistant surgeon	Use when a minimum assistant is documented and meets payer rules.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when the work required is substantially greater than typical (document justification).
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia or deep sedation is required for a procedure normally done with local anesthesia, if payers accept this modifier.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Rarely applicable; use only if bilateral spinal AVMs are treated in a manner warranting bilateral modifier application per payer rules.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when more than one distinct procedure is performed in the same session in addition to the embolization.
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the full service is not provided (duplicate of above entry; ensure single use per claim as appropriate).
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the facility or technical portion of a service (imaging equipment use, technologist time) separate from the physician component.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207RG0100X`	Interventional Neuroradiology	Specialists who perform endovascular spinal AVM embolizations.
`207RH0000X`	Radiology	Diagnostic and interventional radiologists experienced in neurointerventions.
`2084P0800X`	Neurosurgery	Neurosurgeons who may collaborate for complex spinal AVM cases or surgical follow-up.
`208D00000X`	Neurological Surgery	Providers focusing on spinal cord vascular malformations and operative management.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
Data not available in the input.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`62294`	Endovascular embolization of spinal cord arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with particles or glue	Primary procedure: catheter-based embolization to occlude spinal AVM nidus.
`36245`	Selective catheter placement, arterial system; each first order thoracic, lumbar, or sacral branch, within a vascular family	Used for selective catheterization of segmental feeders during diagnostic angiography or therapeutic embolization.
`36247`	Selective catheter placement, arterial system; each additional second-order thoracic, lumbar, or sacral branch, within a vascular family (List separately in addition to code for primary)	Used for catheterization of additional feeders when multiple segmental arteries are treated.
`61624`	Endovascular embolization, intracranial or spinal, via catheter, including delivery of embolic material	Often used for embolization procedures of spinal or intracranial vascular malformations when coding conventions reference broader embolization codes.
`75710`	Angiography, cerebrovascular, unilateral or bilateral, radiological supervision and interpretation	Used for diagnostic spinal/vertebral angiography and procedural angiographic runs required before/after embolization.