Summary & Overview
CPT 37799: Unlisted Vascular Surgery Procedure
CPT code 37799 represents an unlisted procedure in vascular surgery, serving as a catch-all billing code for surgical interventions on arteries and veins that do not have a designated CPT code. This code is nationally relevant for providers who perform unique or uncommon vascular procedures, ensuring that such services can be accurately reported and reimbursed. The publication covers major commercial payers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare, providing a comprehensive overview of payer coverage and policy considerations for this code.
Readers will gain insight into the clinical context of CPT 37799, including its role in reporting non-standard vascular surgeries, typical sites of service, and how it relates to other established vascular procedure codes. The summary also highlights common modifiers used in conjunction with this code and associated clinical diagnoses, offering a clear understanding of its application in medical billing and policy. Benchmarks and policy updates are discussed to inform stakeholders about current trends and requirements for reporting unlisted vascular procedures. This resource is essential for healthcare professionals, billing specialists, and policy analysts seeking clarity on the use and coverage of CPT 37799 in the evolving landscape of cardiovascular surgical services.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 37799 is designated as an unlisted procedure for vascular surgery. This code is used when a surgical intervention on the cardiovascular system is performed that does not have a specific CPT code assigned. Procedures billed under CPT 37799 typically involve arteries or veins and may address a range of vascular conditions. The service type is classified as Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System – Other Artery and Vein Procedures. The site of service varies depending on the specifics of the procedure, and no single place of service is documented for this code. This flexibility allows providers to report unique or uncommon vascular surgical procedures that fall outside standard coding definitions.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient presents with chronic venous insufficiency or varicose veins of the lower extremities, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as leg swelling, pain, or visible vein abnormalities. After evaluation by a vascular surgeon, it is determined that standard procedures (such as endovenous ablation or vein stripping) are not suitable due to unique anatomical or clinical factors. The surgeon performs a specialized vascular surgery procedure that does not have a specific CPT code, requiring the use of 37799 (Unlisted procedure, vascular surgery). The procedure may occur in an outpatient surgical center, hospital, or office setting, depending on the complexity and patient needs. Documentation must clearly describe the procedure performed and its medical necessity.
Coding Specifications
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Modifier
51(Multiple Procedures):- Used when more than one procedure is performed during the same surgical session. Indicates that
37799is one of several procedures.
- Used when more than one procedure is performed during the same surgical session. Indicates that
-
Modifier
59(Distinct Procedural Service):- Used to identify procedures/services that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. Indicates that
37799is a distinct service from other procedures performed.
- Used to identify procedures/services that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. Indicates that
| Provider Taxonomy Code | Specialty Description |
|---|---|
208800000X | Vascular Surgery |
- Vascular Surgery (
208800000X):- Represents providers specializing in surgical procedures on arteries and veins.
Related Diagnoses
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I83.90– Varicose veins of lower extremities without complications- Indicates the presence of varicose veins, a common reason for vascular surgery procedures.
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I87.2– Venous insufficiency (chronic) (peripheral)- Represents chronic venous insufficiency, which may require surgical intervention if conservative treatments fail.
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I82.90– Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified vein- Used when a patient has a blood clot in a vein, potentially necessitating a vascular procedure.
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I74.9– Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified artery- Indicates arterial blood clots, which may require surgical management.
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I73.9– Peripheral vascular disease, unspecified- Represents general peripheral vascular disease, often leading to surgical evaluation and intervention.
Each diagnosis is clinically relevant as it may justify the need for an unlisted vascular surgery procedure coded with 37799.
Related CPT Codes
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36475– Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein; first vein treated- Used for minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins. May be performed instead of or in addition to procedures coded with
37799if the clinical scenario fits.
- Used for minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins. May be performed instead of or in addition to procedures coded with
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36478– Endovenous ablation therapy of incompetent vein; additional vein treated- Used when more than one vein is treated during the same session. Can be used alongside
36475or as an alternative to37799if the procedure is standard.
- Used when more than one vein is treated during the same session. Can be used alongside
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37718– Ligation, division, and stripping of long or short saphenous veins- Traditional surgical treatment for varicose veins.
37799may be used if the procedure performed does not fit the description of37718.
- Traditional surgical treatment for varicose veins.
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37722– Ligation, division, and stripping of long saphenous veins- Similar to
37718, but specific to the long saphenous vein.37799is used when the procedure is unlisted or not described by this code.
- Similar to
These codes are commonly used for standard vein procedures. 37799 is used when the procedure performed does not match any of these descriptions, making it an alternative or supplemental code in complex cases.
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
National mean rates for CPT code 37799 show substantial variation across commercial payers. The average commercial rate (BUCA) is $2,707.16, while individual payer mean rates range from $105.75 for Cigna to $5,664.10 for Blue Cross Blue Shield. UnitedHealth Group and Aetna also report higher mean rates at $1,720.57 and $1,215.43, respectively. Medicare data is not available in the input.
Rate dispersion, measured by the difference between the 75th and 25th percentiles, is widest for UnitedHealth Group ($1,907.88) and Aetna ($1,369.83), indicating significant variability in contracted rates. Blue Cross Blue Shield and BUCA have much tighter ranges ($67.00 and $309.67, respectively), while Cigna's rates are the most consistent with a narrow spread of $25.00. The table and chart below present the full breakdown of national benchmarks for each payer.
Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.