Summary & Overview
CPT 93882: Duplex Ultrasound of Carotid/Vertebral Arteries, Unilateral
CPT code 93882 denotes a unilateral duplex ultrasound of the carotid and/or vertebral arteries used to evaluate arterial stenosis and other vascular abnormalities in symptomatic patients. This diagnostic imaging code is widely used in hospital outpatient departments, outpatient vascular labs, and imaging centers to assess patients presenting with stroke, transient ischemic attack, or focal neurological symptoms. Nationally, the code is important for stroke triage, determining the need for further vascular intervention, and guiding secondary prevention strategies.
Key payers commonly analyzed for this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a clinical context for when the study is performed, typical sites of service, and payer coverage considerations. The publication outlines benchmark reimbursement levels, prior authorization and documentation trends where applicable, and coding best practices related to clinical indication and laterality documentation.
This summary provides clinicians, practice managers, and billing professionals with an overview of how CPT code 93882 is used in practice, what to expect from major payers, and where to seek further detail on policy updates and claims submission requirements. Data not available in the input is noted where specific payer policy language or related code mappings are required.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 93882 describes a duplex ultrasound scan of the carotid and/or vertebral arteries performed on one side. The procedure evaluates the arteries for stenosis (narrowing) and other vascular abnormalities in patients presenting with symptoms such as stroke or transient ischemic attack.
Service type: Diagnostic vascular imaging (duplex ultrasound of carotid/vertebral arteries, unilateral)
Typical site of service: Outpatient vascular laboratory, hospital outpatient department, or imaging center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old male presents to the outpatient vascular laboratory with new-onset left-sided weakness and transient vision disturbance that resolved within 24 hours. The clinician documents sudden focal neurologic deficits consistent with a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The vascular technologist performs a diagnostic duplex ultrasound of the right carotid and vertebral arteries to evaluate for stenosis, plaque characterization, and flow abnormalities. The workflow includes patient check-in and identification, focused history and indication confirmation, review of prior imaging if available, performance of B-mode, color Doppler, and spectral Doppler imaging of the carotid bifurcation, common carotid artery, internal and external carotid arteries on the indicated side, documentation of peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities, and generation of a structured report for the ordering provider. Images and measurements are archived, and the interpreting physician signs the report. Typical sites of service include the hospital outpatient radiology or vascular laboratory and ambulatory imaging centers. Common clinical indications are acute stroke symptoms, transient ischemic attack, carotid bruit, follow-up after carotid intervention, or evaluation of suspected carotid artery stenosis.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | Use when billing the physician interpretation only (technical component billed separately). |