C9603 HCPCS code: Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with drug-eluting intracoronary stent, with coronary angioplasty when performed; each additional branch of a major coronary artery (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

C9603 is the HCPCS Level II code for percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with drug-eluting intracoronary stent, with coronary angioplasty when performed; each additional branch of a major coronary artery (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure). Its Medicare coverage code is D (Special coverage instructions apply): Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met. The NCCI unit limit is 2 per day on outpatient hospital claims.

Code details

NCCI unit limits (MUE)

Medicare policy articles for this code

• A56823: Billing and Coding: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Wellpoint Federal (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B))
• A57479: Billing and Coding: Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (WPS Insurance Corporation (MAC - Part A, MAC - Part B))

Covered diagnoses (113 ICD-10-CM codes)

The diagnoses most often listed as covered in the policy articles above:

Showing 10 of 113. The full list, non-covered diagnoses and CSV export are in Caduvo.

What changed for C9603

• 2013-01-01: C9603 added to HCPCS Level II
• Next scheduled CMS quarterly update (HCPCS and DMEPOS fee schedule): 2027-01-01

Frequently asked questions

What is HCPCS code C9603?

C9603 is the HCPCS Level II code for percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with drug-eluting intracoronary stent, with coronary angioplasty when performed; each additional branch of a major coronary artery (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure). Short descriptor: "Perc d-e cor stent ather br".

Does Medicare cover C9603?

Coverage code D — Special coverage instructions apply. Medicare covers it when its national or local coverage criteria are met.

Which diagnoses support coverage for C9603?

Medicare policy articles that cite C9603 list 113 covered ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes across 2 articles. The most cited include I20.0 (Unstable angina), I20.81 (Angina pectoris with coronary microvascular dysfunction), I20.89 (Other forms of angina pectoris). A listed diagnosis is necessary but not sufficient; the policy's other criteria still apply.

How many units of C9603 can be billed per day?

2 on outpatient hospital claims; 2 on practitioner claims (NCCI medically unlikely edits).

Related C96 codes

• C9600 — Percutaneous transcatheter placement of drug eluting intracoronary stent(s), with coronary angioplasty when performed; single major coronary artery or branch
• C9601 — Percutaneous transcatheter placement of drug-eluting intracoronary stent(s), with coronary angioplasty when performed; each additional branch of a major coronary artery (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• C9602 — Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with drug eluting intracoronary stent, with coronary angioplasty when performed; single major coronary artery or branch
• C9604 — Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of or through coronary artery bypass graft (internal mammary, free arterial, venous), any combination of drug-eluting intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty, including distal protection when performed; single vessel
• C9605 — Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of or through coronary artery bypass graft (internal mammary, free arterial, venous), any combination of drug-eluting intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty, including distal protection when performed; each additional branch subtended by the bypass graft (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• C9606 — Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of acute total/subtotal occlusion during acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery or coronary artery bypass graft, any combination of drug-eluting intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty, including aspiration thrombectomy when performed, single vessel
• C9607 — Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of chronic total occlusion, coronary artery, coronary artery branch, or coronary artery bypass graft, any combination of drug-eluting intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty; single vessel
• C9608 — Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of chronic total occlusion, coronary artery, coronary artery branch, or coronary artery bypass graft, any combination of drug-eluting intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty; each additional coronary artery, coronary artery branch, or bypass graft (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
• C9610 — Catheter, transluminal drug delivery with or without angioplasty, coronary, non-laser (insertable)

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Next steps

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Sources: CMS HCPCS Level II release October 2025; CMS DMEPOS fee schedule; CMS NCCI MUE tables; CMS Medicare utilization (physician and DME supplier files); CMS Medicare Coverage Database articles. Fees are Medicare allowables, not commercial rates. Not billing or legal advice.

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