Summary & Overview
CPT 73206: CT Angiography of Upper Extremity
CPT code 73206 is a CT angiography procedure of the upper extremity that uses intravenous contrast and may include noncontrast images, with computerized image reconstruction to select optimal views. This imaging service is clinically important for diagnosing vascular conditions such as arterial occlusion, trauma-related vessel injury, aneurysm, and preoperative vascular mapping. Nationally, CT angiography contributes to timely vascular diagnosis and guides downstream care decisions in emergency, outpatient, and perioperative settings.
Key payers addressed in this publication include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical and procedural scope of the code, common billing modifiers, typical sites of service, and payer coverage considerations. The report summarizes national reimbursement context and billing practices, highlights clinical utility and appropriate use scenarios, and outlines documentation elements commonly assessed by payers.
This publication is intended for coding professionals, radiology administrators, and policy analysts seeking a national perspective on coding and billing for CT angiography of the upper extremity. It focuses on procedural definition, billing metadata, and the practical information needed to align documentation with payer requirements and clinical workflows.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 73206 describes a computed tomographic (CT) angiography of the blood vessels of an upper extremity using intravenous contrast, with the option to include noncontrast images. The procedure includes image acquisition and a computerized process to select or reconstruct the most clinically relevant views.
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Service type: Diagnostic imaging procedure (CT angiography of upper extremity)
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Typical site of service: Outpatient radiology suite, hospital outpatient department, or ambulatory imaging center
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient presents with progressive left arm claudication, coolness, and diminished radial pulse following prior thoracic outlet surgery. Noninvasive vascular studies suggest significant subclavian/axillary arterial stenosis. The vascular surgeon orders a CT angiography of the left upper extremity with intravenous contrast to define the location and severity of stenosis and to plan endovascular intervention. The patient arrives at an outpatient imaging center. After consent and renal function review, IV access is placed, contrast is administered, and the CT technologist acquires contrast-enhanced CTA images of the arterial phase of the left upper extremity. The interpreting radiologist performs multiplanar reconstructions and uses computerized vessel-selection software to generate the most relevant 3D and axial views for the final report. Findings and measurements are documented, images are saved to PACS, and the radiologist issues a signed report to the referring vascular surgeon for procedural planning.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When billing only the interpreting physician's service separate from technical facility charge |
TC | Technical component |