For a vein graft repair of a blood vessel in the right arm, which code should be used?

The appropriate code for a vein graft repair of a blood vessel in the right arm is indeed 35236-RT. This code accurately reflects the procedure performed while also specifying the anatomical location involved in the surgery.

The base code, 35236, pertains to the repair of a blood vessel using a graft but does not specify laterality. When the procedure is performed on the right arm, the additional modifier "RT" is added to indicate that the operation specifically took place on the right side of the body. This is crucial for proper identification of the procedure, ensuring accurate billing and documentation that it was not performed on a different site or limb.

Using the modifier in this context is essential for coding standards and helps to convey precise information to insurers and other parties reviewing the medical records. The other codes listed do not fully capture the combination of procedure and laterality or refer to different types of procedures that are not related to this specific scenario.