What should be in the clinical notes before requesting Ultrasound imaging of veins in the arm or leg using compression and movements (CPT 93970)?

Reviewers look for a recent office visit that documents the symptoms and how long they have lasted, exam findings, results of any earlier imaging, treatments already tried and how the patient responded, and the specific question the study is expected to answer. The diagnosis code on the request should match what the notes describe.

CPT 93970: Ultrasound imaging of veins in the arm or leg using compression and movements - Prior Authorization and Price

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CPT 93970

Ultrasound imaging of veins in the arm or leg using compression and movements.

Cardiac & Vascular Testing

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Payer guidelines that apply

Payer	Reviewed using	Guideline	Sections
Aetna	eviCore	Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Chest Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026	9 that name this code
Anthem BCBS	Carelon	Current guideline	None found
Cigna	eviCore	Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Imaging Guidelines 2.0.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026 Chest Imaging Guidelines 1.0.2026, effective Feb 3, 2026	9 that name this code
Medicare	CMS	—	None found
Original Medicare does not run a prior authorization program for outpatient imaging; claims are judged against the coverage policies above. Medicare Advantage plans set their own prior authorization rules.
UnitedHealthcare	UnitedHealthcare / eviCore	Commercial and Exchange Cardiovascular and Radiology Imaging Guidelines 09.2026, effective Sep 1, 2026	9 that name this code

Guidelines collected from the payers' published documents on September 29, 2026. Payers revise these documents during the year. Open the guideline link to confirm the current version before you submit.

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

These are the clinical situations where payer guidelines discuss Ultrasound imaging of veins in the arm or leg using compression and movements. Each has its own criteria for when the study is considered appropriate.

Acute Limb Swelling Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Chronic limb swelling due to chronic deep venous thrombosis (DVT)/May-Thurner syndrome Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Chronic limb swelling due to venous insufficiency/Venous stasis changes/Varicose veins Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Imaging for Hemodialysis Access Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare

Typical price

Commercial insurance, median

$659

Middle half of rates: $383 to $1,130

Medicare, hospital outpatient

$244

Facility payment

Medicare, physician fee schedule

$185

National, non-facility

Commercial figures come from negotiated rates published by 1,050 hospitals; Medicare figures from CMS fee schedules. Rates vary widely by hospital and plan. Pricing data from CenterIQ.

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Payers update imaging guidelines several times a year. We will email you when the criteria for Ultrasound imaging of veins in the arm or leg using compression and movements change.

CPT 93970: Ultrasound imaging of veins in the arm or leg using compression and movements - Prior Authorization and Price

Payer guidelines that apply

Conditions the guidelines address for this study

Typical price

Get notified when the rules for this study change

Frequently asked questions

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