Summary & Overview
HCPCS C1759: Intracardiac Echocardiography Catheter
HCPCS Level II code C1759 denotes an intracardiac echocardiography catheter, a device used to obtain real-time ultrasound images from within the heart during interventional cardiac procedures. Nationally, use of ICE catheters supports procedural guidance for electrophysiology, structural heart interventions, and complex catheter-based therapies, influencing procedure safety, imaging workflows, and device-related supply costs. The code matters for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and payers because device coding affects claim adjudication, device-specific payment policies, and reporting.
Key payers examined include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the code's clinical purpose and typical site of service, an overview of common modifiers associated with device and procedural billing, and what to expect in payer coverage patterns and documentation requirements. The publication also outlines benchmarks where available, highlights recent policy or coding clarifications when present, and situates C1759 within related cardiac procedure billing. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code C1759 is defined as Catheter, intracardiac echocardiography. This code represents a specialized catheter device used to perform intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), an imaging technique that provides real-time ultrasound visualization from within the heart.
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Service type: Intracardiac echocardiography device supply and use
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Typical site of service: Cardiac catheterization laboratory or interventional cardiology suite
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old male with symptomatic atrial fibrillation is scheduled for a transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion. During the procedure, intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is used to provide real-time imaging of cardiac structures, guide transseptal puncture, confirm device position, and assess for pericardial effusion. The patient arrives to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, is placed under monitored anesthesia care or general anesthesia per operator preference, and vascular access is obtained via the femoral vein. An ICE catheter is advanced to the right atrium and repositioned as needed to visualize the interatrial septum, left atrium, and left atrial appendage. Imaging is documented in the procedure note, including catheter insertion site, views obtained, duration of imaging, and any findings that alter the intervention. The ICE catheter (C1759) is billed by the facility as a separately payable supply when used during intracardiac procedures such as transseptal puncture, left atrial appendage closure, electrophysiology ablation, or device deployment.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
52 | Reduced services | Use when the ICE catheter service or procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned. |