Duplex Scan Of Lower Extremity Arteries

Duplex scanning of lower extremity arteries is covered to establish the level/degree of arterial occlusive disease when significant signs or symptoms suggest limb ischemia and the patient is a candidate for invasive therapy, including specified scenarios (absent/diminished pulses, sudden pallor/coolness, severe claudication, aneurysm/AVM, trauma, rest pain, tissue loss, and defined postoperative surveillance). Routine screening, testing for minor isolated signs without ischemic symptoms, monitoring unchanged symptomatology or use solely for following medical therapy is not covered; each procedure must be specifically ordered, medically necessary, well-documented, and performed by credentialed personnel or accredited labs. Postoperative duplex surveillance is typically limited to 3-, 6-, and 12-months when indicated and routine outpatient studies are generally expected no more than once per year unless clinical circumstances justify additional testing.

"Duplex scanning of lower extremity arteries is medically necessary to establish the level and/or degree of arterial occlusive disease when significant signs and/or symptoms indicate a high likeliho..."