May 31, 2018

Question:
The doctor documented a renal angiogram, and an aortogram. The aortogram was denied. What should we do?

Answer:
The denial was correct.  Per CPT, an aortogram is included in a renal angiogram and should not be separately reported. See the code description below.

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

*This response is based on the best information available as of 05/31/18.