CPT 36251, 36252, 36253, 36254 - selective catheter placement

Procedure code and Description

36251 Selective catheter placement (first-order), main renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including arterial puncture and catheter placement(s), fluoroscopy, contrast injection(s), image postprocessing, permanent recording of images, and radiological supervision and interpretation, including pressure gradient measurements when performed, and flush aortogram when performed; unilateral

36252 Selective catheter placement (first-order), main renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including arterial puncture and catheter placement(s), fluoroscopy, contrast injection(s), image postprocessing, permanent recording of images, and radiological supervision and interpretation, including pressure gradient measurements when performed, and flush aortogram when performed; bilateral

36253 Superselective catheter placement (one or more second order or higher renal artery branches) renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including arterial puncture, catheterization, fluoroscopy, contrast injection(s), image postprocessing, permanent recording of images, and radiological supervision and interpretation, including pressure gradient measurements when performed, and flush aortogram when performed; unilateral

36254 Superselective catheter placement (one or more second order or higher renal artery branches) renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including arterial puncture, catheterization, fluoroscopy, contrast injection(s), image postprocessing, permanent recording of images, and radiological supervision and interpretation, including pressure gradient measurements when performed, and flush aortogram when performed; bilateral.


Catheter-based renal angiography, the longstanding “gold standard” for the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis  (RAS), has been largely replaced as a practical first-line modality by noninvasive imaging studies (e.g., duplex ultrasonography, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomographic angiography (CTA)). Renal angiography services will be denied without a prior non-invasive renal artery study that is inconclusive or unavailable. Exceptions to this rule may occur in patients with fibromuscular dysplasia or renal artery aneurysms where there may be branch involvement.

Routine non-selective renal angiography, pejoratively called “drive-by angiography,” performed at the time of cardiac catheterization in the absence of accepted clinical indications that support medical necessity, as mentioned in this LCD, will be denied as such services are generally not indicated. In addition, the treating physician must specifically request this extra-cardiac angiographic service. A provider should not report CPT codes 36251, 36252, 36253 and 36254 (renal angiography, selective) unless the renal artery(s) is (are) catheterized and a complete renal angiogram, including the venous phase, is performed and interpreted.

There are no absolute contraindications to diagnostic aortography/angiography. Relative contraindications include but are not limited to:

A. Severe hypertension
B. Uncorrectable coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia
C. Clinically significant sensitivity to iodinated contrast material
D. Renal insufficiency based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
E. Congestive heart failure
F. Certain connective tissue disorders which may indicate increased risk for complications at the puncture site

Diagnostic angiography performed at a separate session from an interventional procedure may be separately reportable. If a diagnostic angiogram was performed prior to an interventional procedure, a second diagnostic angiogram performed at the time of an interventional procedure is separately reportable when documentation supports it is medically reasonable and necessary to repeat the study to further define the anatomy and pathology. If the prior diagnostic angiogram was performed, a second angiogram (e.g., for the contrast injections necessary to perform the interventional procedure) is not separately reportable.

The localization or guidance is integral to an interventional procedure and is not separately reportable unless CPT instructions specify otherwise.

In addition to the initial procedure, an appropriate frequency of repeat procedures can be allowed as long as medical necessity is clearly established and documented. It is expected that important diagnostic information will be obtained from the angiography, which will assist in patient management and treatment. Repeat angiography may be medically reasonable and necessary if there is documentation of new and incapacitating symptoms. CMS issued HCPCS code G0278 for femoral or iliac angiography when done at the time of coronary angiography. Medicare would not expect to see a high percentage of femoral or iliac angiography done at the same time of coronary studies, and such billing could be subject to review. Renal angiography performed at the time of cardiac catheterization in the absence of accepted clinical indication that support medical necessity will be denied as such services are generally not indicated, as mentioned in this LCD.