Summary & Overview
HCPCS C1887: Guiding Catheter with Infusion/Perfusion Capability
HCPCS Level II code C1887 identifies a guiding catheter that may include infusion or perfusion capability. Guiding catheters are integral devices in endovascular and interventional procedures, used to provide vascular access, support navigation of guidewires and devices, and when equipped, permit infusion of contrast, medications, or perfusates. Nationally, accurate coding for these devices affects procedure documentation, device tracking, and payer coverage determinations across hospital and ambulatory settings.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for use of guiding catheters, typical sites of service where C1887 applies, and the payer landscape influencing coverage and claims adjudication. The publication also presents benchmark topics and policy updates that affect billing for device items, alongside considerations for coding consistency and device description alignment with clinical documentation.
This summary provides clinicians, coding staff, and policy analysts with a concise reference to the role of HCPCS Level II code C1887 in procedural workflows, payer coverage patterns, and the operational implications for hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and interventional suites.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code C1887 describes a guiding catheter, which may include infusion or perfusion capability. This device is used to guide other instruments, such as guidewires or therapeutic catheters, during intravascular procedures and can facilitate delivery of fluids or medications when infusion capability is included.
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Service type: Vascular access device and procedural support
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Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient and outpatient settings, ambulatory surgical centers, and interventional radiology or cardiology suites
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 68-year-old male with peripheral arterial disease presenting for lower extremity endovascular intervention for symptomatic claudication and a focal superficial femoral artery stenosis. After diagnostic angiography via common femoral arterial access, the interventional cardiology or vascular surgery team places a C1887 guiding catheter to provide stable access, support device delivery, and permit contrast infusion and pressure monitoring during crossing, balloon angioplasty, and stent deployment. The procedure occurs in an accredited hospital cardiac catheterization or endovascular suite. The workflow includes pre-procedure consent and imaging review, arterial access (commonly femoral or radial), diagnostic angiography, exchange for the guiding catheter C1887 over a guidewire, performance of the therapeutic intervention, hemostasis or closure device placement, and post-procedure monitoring in the recovery area. Typical personnel include the primary operator (interventional cardiologist or vascular surgeon), an assisting physician or advanced practice provider, scrub tech, circulating nurse, and radiology technologist. Supplies billed may include C1887 for the guiding catheter, contrast, guidewires, and any ancillary devices used during the endovascular intervention.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|