UHC & HCPCS Codes for Varicose Vein Procedures

The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, or HCPCS, is a set of procedure codes for health care providers. HCPCS codes include and are based on the Current Procedural Terminology or, CPT, established by the American Medical Association. Since 1978, HCPCS has been used to describe specific medical procedures and is used by private health insurers as well as Medicare and Medicaid in determining eligibility and claims processing. The 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 mandated the use of HCPCS codes for health care transactions. The term "UHC codes" refers to the use of these HCPCS codes by United Healthcare, a major health insurance company in the United States.

Surgical Excision

• Surgical excision is used to eliminate large and bulging varicose veins. Other terms for surgical excision include litigation and stripping or the newer phrase "stab phlebectomy." Tiny skin incisions are made and the varicose veins are grabbed and pulled out with small hooks or clamps. The HCPCS or UHC code for surgical excision is 37718 for the short saphenous vein and 37722 for the long saphenous vein.

Endovenous Laser Ablation

• Endovenous laser ablation is used to treat large varicose veins in the legs. It is a relatively noninvasive procedure in which a laser fiber is inserted directly into the varicose vein. The laser then heats the vein's lining, causing it to shrink, collapse and ultimately disappear. The HCPCS or UHC codes for endovenous laser ablation are 36478 for the first treated vein and 36479 for the second and subsequent veins.

Radiofrequency Ablation

• Radiofrequency ablation works on the same principle as laser ablation of varicose veins. Radiofrequency waves are applied to cause heating and collapse of the varicose vein lining. In the radiofrequency ablation procedure, a small catheter is inserted at an incision by the knee and extended up to the groin before the application of radiofrequency waves. The HCPCS or UHC codes for radiofreqency ablation are 36475 for the first vein and 36476 for second and subsequent veins.