Summary & Overview
HCPCS C1757: Catheter for Thrombectomy/Embolectomy
HCPCS Level II code C1757 denotes a catheter specifically for thrombectomy or embolectomy, an endovascular device used to remove thrombus or emboli from blood vessels. This device-based code matters nationally because it ties directly to the delivery of acute interventional vascular care—procedures that can be time-sensitive, resource-intensive, and critical for limb- and life-sparing outcomes. Device coding influences hospital supply billing, payer coverage decisions, and procedure-level cost accounting.
Key payers covered in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of what the code represents, the typical clinical and site-of-service context, and the kinds of benchmark and policy topics commonly associated with device-specific HCPCS Level II codes: coverage criteria, hospital billing practice, and alignment with interventional procedure codes. Where available, analyses of reimbursement benchmarks, payer coverage patterns, and relevant coding guidance are usually presented alongside clinical context for endovascular thrombectomy/embolectomy.
This national summary is intended for clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts seeking a clear, device-focused reference for HCPCS Level II code C1757. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code C1757 describes a catheter used for thrombectomy or embolectomy procedures. This device is intended for the mechanical removal of thrombus or embolus from blood vessels and is classified as an interventional vascular catheter.
Service Type: Endovascular thrombectomy/embolectomy device
Typical Site of Service: Hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, and interventional radiology or vascular surgery suites
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient in their 60s presents to the hospital emergency department with acute onset unilateral leg swelling, pain, and reduced distal perfusion. Duplex ultrasound and CT venography confirm a large iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis with significant clot burden and clinical threat to limb viability. Endovascular thrombectomy/embolectomy is planned by an interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon. The patient is transported to an interventional suite or hybrid operating room. Under conscious sedation or general anesthesia, vascular access is obtained (commonly via the popliteal, femoral, or internal jugular vein/artery depending on clot location). A specialized thrombectomy/embolectomy catheter (C1757) is advanced to the thrombus under fluoroscopic guidance. Mechanical thrombectomy devices and adjunctive pharmacologic thrombolysis may be used. Completion venography assesses clot removal and vessel patency; adjunctive angioplasty or stent placement may follow if residual stenosis is present. Post-procedure monitoring occurs in a recovery area or intensive care unit depending on hemodynamic stability and thrombolytic therapy. Discharge planning includes anticoagulation therapy and outpatient follow-up with vascular medicine or surgery.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier; standard reporting | Use when no special circumstance applies to the service. |
| | Increased procedural services | Use when the thrombectomy required substantially greater work or time than usual.