CPT 93971: Duplex Scan of Extremity Veins, Unilateral/Limited
Medicare pays $81 and commercial payers pay $198 on average nationally for this procedure.
CPT code 93971 describes a unilateral or limited duplex ultrasound scan of extremity veins (arm or leg) that characterizes blood flow pattern and direction and assesses responses to maneuvers such as compression; service type: diagnostic vascular ultrasound, typical site of service: hospital outpatient department, vascular lab, or freestanding imaging center.
For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Foot Orthotics, Foot reconstruction procedures: bunionectomy and hallux valgus correction — Medical Necessity Guideline, Plantar Fasciitis Treatments.
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National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Medicare's mean rate of $80.8 sits well below BUCA's average commercial mean of $198.5, indicating Medicare reimbursement for CPT 93971 is roughly $117.7 lower than the broader commercial benchmark. This gap highlights a meaningful separation between federal fee schedules and commercial negotiated levels, with Medicare also displaying a wide inter-locality spread (P25 $21 to P75 $115) across 47 localities.
Dispersion measured by P75–P25 is tightest for Aetna at $99.3 (P75 $132.9 minus P25 $32.6) and widest for Blue Cross Blue Shield at $115.3 (P75 $303.0 minus P25 $198.7). UnitedHealth Group and Cigna show similar mid-level dispersion—UnitedHealth Group range $131.4 and Cigna range $143.2—while BUCA’s commercial distribution range is $121.5 and Medicare’s inter-locality spread is $94.0.