Summary & Overview
CPT 75825: Inferior Vena Cava Venography with Serialography, Interpretation
CPT code 75825 denotes the supervision and interpretation of venography of the inferior vena cava with serialography — an invasive diagnostic imaging procedure using contrast to detect and localize venous thrombus. This service is clinically important for diagnosing suspected deep venous thrombosis involving the inferior vena cava, pre-procedural planning, and assessment when noninvasive imaging is inconclusive. Nationally, accurate coding and interpretation affect episode care decisions and utilization of advanced imaging resources.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of where this service is typically provided, common billing contexts, and benchmarking considerations for utilization and coverage. The publication also summarizes clinical context for use of invasive venography versus noninvasive alternatives, common modifiers associated with interpretation and technical components, and considerations for documentation and claim submission.
This report provides a concise reference for coding staff, radiology administrators, and policy analysts seeking a national perspective on CPT code 75825, including service definitions, expected sites of service, and the types of clinical scenarios that prompt use of this venographic study. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 75825 describes the supervision and interpretation of venography of the inferior vena cava with serialography. The procedure is an invasive diagnostic X-ray study performed after contrast dye injection to visualize venous anatomy, identify the presence, location, and extent of venous thrombus, and capture rapid-sequence (serialographic) images of the inferior vena cava.
Service type: Diagnostic vascular radiology; supervised invasive venographic study with interpretation
Typical site of service: Hospital radiology suite, outpatient radiology center, or interventional imaging suite
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult presenting with acute unilateral leg swelling, pain, and/or signs of venous obstruction after recent immobilization or surgery. The emergency physician orders vascular imaging to evaluate for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and possible extension into the inferior vena cava (IVC). The interventional radiology team performs an invasive venography of the inferior vena cava with serialography (rapid-sequence imaging) after contrast injection to localize and grade thrombus burden, assess venous anatomy, and plan possible endovascular therapy (for example, catheter-directed thrombolysis or IVC filter placement). The workflow includes pre-procedure consent and coagulation review, ultrasound-guided venous access, fluoroscopic contrast injection with serial imaging, provider supervision and real-time interpretation of images, and post-procedure monitoring for contrast reaction or access-site complications. The procedure is typically performed in an angiography suite or interventional radiology department and billed by the interpreting physician using 75825 for supervision and interpretation of inferior vena cava venography with serialography.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing only the interpreting physician's professional component separate from technical facility charges. |