Advanced Search

Cardiology Coding Alert

Focus on PV:
Discover How Vascular Families Can Vary Your Selective Cath Coding Choices
Experts reveal the most overlooked services that you should be reporting You know you ca... Read more
Bust These 3 Myths to Streamline Modifier 59 Claims
Learn how you can save your claim department's time If you're still treating modifie... Read more
You Be the Expert:
Atherectomies in the Same Leg
Question: If a cardiologist performs atherectomy in the posterior tibial and tibioperonea... Read more
Clip and Save:
Stop Wasting Time Searching for Supervision Definitions
Quick quiz: Is level 01 general or direct supervision? You can finally crack the Medicare... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep Discharge Code on the Sidelines
Question: My cardiologist admitted a patient to the hospital. Later that same day, he dis... Read more
Reader Question:
Confirm Diagnosis Before You Report It
Question: If the cardiologist hasn't indicated ECG results in his final diagnosis, should... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider These CVP Coding Possibilities
Question: A physician placed a central venous pressure (CVP) line in one of the jugular v... Read more
Reader Question:
Find Out if Modifiers TC, 26 Can Occur on 2 Dates
Question: A patient underwent a diagnostic test on day one, but the cardiologist didn't p... Read more
Reader Question:
Inpatient Status Relies on Doctor's Decision
Question: My cardiologist admitted a patient on the 18th and then saw him on the 19th. Th... Read more
Reader Question:
Hold Your Horses for 2008 Fee Schedule
Question: I have the "2007 National Physician fee schedule Relative Value File" loaded o... Read more
Attack This Arteriogram, Angioplasty Scenario and Come Out Coding Both Services
See which catheter placement code you should use based on access site Your cardiologist ... Read more
You Be the Expert:
Does Pacemaker Placement Route Matter?
Question: I have an operative report for a dual pacemaker implant in which the cardiolog... Read more
Pay Attention to 5-Year Rule for Cardiovascular Screens
ABN protects you if patient forgets last screening date Medicare patients who report to ... Read more
Follow These 5 Routes to Modifier 22 Claim Success
You decide which services warrant the effort associated with modifier 22   Catc... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Let Runoff Studies Run Away With You
Question: When coding for a right and left lower extremity arterial runoff, should I use... Read more
Reader Question:
Examine Cause for AICD Code
Question: An older male patient presented in our cardiology office complaining that his ... Read more
Reader Question:
Home In on Ultratag Kit HCPCS code
Question: What is the HCPCS code for an Ultratag kit that a provider will use during a mu... Read more
Reader Question:
Think You Can Report 2 E/Ms? Think Again
Question: A patient who was not feeling well came into the office, and the physician per... Read more
Reader Question:
Multiple Procedures Don't Always Mean Multiple Codes
Question: Our cardiologist's op report lists the following services: 1. removal of atrial... Read more
Reader Question:
Get Your Lead Codes Straight
Question: What code should I use for the removal of a CS lead? Code 33226 is for reposit... Read more
Reader Question:
Avoid Applying ICD-9 Codes Without Documentation
Question: My cardiologist documented the patient's hypertension as "uncontrolled." Does ... Read more
5 Coding Tips Clamp Down on Your Ablation Claim Errors and Add to Your Bottom Line
Learn what you should report for a transseptal approach Electrophysiology (EP) studies c... Read more
Tackle This 2-Day Nuclear Study Coding Challenge
Learn which date of service CMS says you should use If you're wondering how many dose... Read more
Make These Mod 25 Distinctions for Picture-Perfect Claims
Find out where to place your modifiers on the CMS-1500 form Mistakenly appending modifie... Read more
You Be the Expert:
Check Components First Before Using 93620
Question: Our electrophysiologist (EP) noted in an EP report that he performed a "compreh... Read more
Reader Questions:
Determine Downstream Vessel to Label Graft
Question: To code a particular vessel when the physician performs an angioplasty or stent... Read more
Reader Questions:
Erase ECG Claim Mishaps With These Guidelines
Question: Which guidelines must we follow when we bill an ECG? North Dakota Subscriber A... Read more
Reader Questions:
Doctor Decides Inpatient Status
Question: My cardiologist admitted a patient on the 18th and then saw him on the 19th. Th... Read more
Reader Questions:
Code Combos Don't Always Need Modifier 59
Question: If my cardiologist does a left heart cath, and then intervenes with a stent pla... Read more
Recalculate How You Should Report CCTA Codes -- Your Bottom Line Will Thank You
Find out what your cardiologist needs to document to substantiate your claim If you've g... Read more
Crack Your Cardiology PQRI Measures With This Advice
Experts warn that learning modifiers might be the trickiest part If your cardiology prac... Read more
Erase the Line Between Initial Visit, Inpatient E/M Coding
Same-day hospital admission may cut the office visit out of the equation Carriers are sc... Read more
You Be the Expert:
When You Can Report Angiography Add-On
Question: When may I report 75774? Indiana Subscriber Answer: In short, you may report +7... Read more
Reader Questions:
Ace Your Aneurysm Dx Coding
Question: Would you break down the ICD-9 codes I'm most likely to use for aortic aneurysm... Read more
Reader Questions:
Narrow Down Aortic/Mitral Valve Condition to 1 Dx
Question: The cardiologist ordered an echocardiogram-for a patient diagnosed with stenosi... Read more
CCI 13.2 Update ~ Adhere to These Catheterization, Endovascular Edits and End Up With a Perfect Claim
Overlooking modifier indicators is a big mistake When you're coding selective arterial cat... Read more
4 Steps Will Jump Start Your Myocardial Infarction Claims
Use this fifth digit when a patient with an MI is moved to a different location If you alw... Read more
Break Down Your ROS Wisdom and Reach High-Level Consults
Do you know what it takes for ROS to be 'complete'? If you want to capture the highest lev... Read more
You Be the Expert ~ Watch Other Procedures to Determine ICD Testing
Question: Our physician completed a charge ticket indicating implantable cardioverter defi... Read more
Reader Question ~ Venogram Is Not Separate From Insertion
Question: Can I bill a venogram with a CRT-D?Idaho Subscriber Answer: No, you should inclu... Read more
Reader Question ~ Face-to-Face is a Must for Medicare
Question: What is the best way to code for a family consult when the patient is not presen... Read more
Reader Question ~ Help Yourself With This Pacemaker How-To
Question: What exactly does a pacemaker consist of? I have a dual chamber permanent pacema... Read more
Reader Question ~ Ask These Questions for Follow-Up Angiographies
Question: When the physician does an interventional stent placement --" such as, in an ext... Read more
Reader Question ~ Tackle These Telemetry-at-Home Codes
Question: Our physicians are investigating doing reads for another company that supplies t... Read more
Reader Question ~ Know Toxicity Levels to Determine Rx Management
Question: According to the medical decision-making (MDM) section of an E/M visit and the t... Read more
On the Cutting Edge:
Gear Up for 2008 ICD-9 With This Sneak Peak of New Total Occlusion, Embolism Codes
Learn two coding options you'll be throwing out come Oct. 1 You won't be slammed with tons... Read more
Learn These Coronary Blood Flow Measurement 'Slang Terms'
The 2007 physician fee schedule raises your 93571-93572 reimbursement dollars If your card... Read more
Catch Coumadin Coding Mistakes Ahead of Time With This Advice
Even if a payer covers new codes, you may not be able to use them -- here's why If yo... Read more
You Be the Expert:
Can We Report 93015-26 for Stress Test?
Question: Our cardiologist performed a stress test on the treadmill, but we do not own the... Read more
Reader Question:
Confront This 'Courtesy' Equipment Issue
Question: If our cardiologist performs pacemaker and automatic implantable cardioverter/de... Read more
Reader Question:
Uncover Positive T-Wave Alternans Codes
Question: The patient had a positive result for T-wave alternans. What ICD-9 code should I... Read more
Reader Question:
Choose Single Code for Aortic/Mitral Valve Condition
Question: My cardiologist ordered an electrocardiogram for a patient diagnosed with stenos... Read more
Reader Question:
Get the Facts on Global Periods
Question: I see a lot of discussion about "global periods," but I cannot find anything in ... Read more
Reader Question:
Ask the Physician for Specific MI Dx
Question: The physician documented only "MI" for the patient's diagnosis. Can I report any... Read more
Vaporize IVUS Coding Mistakes by Putting These 3 Tips Into Practice
Experts explain how to recoup your practice's ultrasound payWhen cardiologists perform int... Read more
Steer Your Cardiac Rehab Claims in the Right Direction
ABNs could be your saving grace--find out howTo report clean claims for your cardiac rehab... Read more
Think Prolonged Services Coding Is Too Complicated? Think Again
Learn what codes to use in both an inpatient and outpatient settingReporting prolonged ser... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Use G0290 for Medicare Patients Only
Question: Should we report 92980 for a drug-eluting stent on a non-Medicare patient (inste... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
No Clarity? Kiss Your Kissing Balloon Claim Goodbye
Question: My cardiologist doesn't really clearly document his catheter placement when he p... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Make Sure You Verify Each Dx Test Indication
Question: We capture charges and diagnoses for in-office diagnostic tests by routing the b... Read more
NCCI 13.1 Update:
Guard Against Denials by Implementing These Angioplasty Edits Now
Find out how edits affect HCPCS codes G0392 and G0393   Angioplasty codes didn't esc... Read more
Take These 2 Other NCCI 13.1 Cardio Edits to Heart
Pinpoint your modifier indicator for CCTA edits   You've got more than angiography e... Read more
Avoid 3 Deadly Sins of Coronary Intervention Documentation
Discover why a 'shadow audit' could be your salvation   If your arterial stent docume... Read more
Dodge Critical Care Mistakes by Dispelling 2 Myths
Here's what you need when reporting critical care--and what you don't   A cardiologis... Read more
You Be the Expert:
Codes for Coronary Angiographies
Question: When using code 93508-26, should I use 93556 as well?Vermont SubscriberAnswer: Y... Read more
Reader Questions:
Check Global Period Before Using Modifier 57
Question: If the cardiologist admits a patient and inserts an automatic internal cardiove... Read more
Reader Questions:
Learn When You Can Use 93571
Question: Can intravascular Doppler (93571) be an add-on procedure during left heart cathe... Read more
Reader Questions:
Stress-Test Code Depends on Equipment, Involvement
Question: A morbidly obese patient who was having chest pains reported to the office for t... Read more
Focus on PV:
Ace Your Diagnostic Angiogram Coding -- Our Experts Show You How
3 exceptions allow you to report angiograms separately from prior ones If you're wonderi... Read more
3 Steps Sharpen Your Stress Test and E/M Coding Skills
Bonus: Learn 2 E/M pitfalls that could clog up claims You may not always have instances ... Read more
Clear Up Your Extra Time, Nurse Note Confusion With 2 FAQs
Find out if a patient's history form counts toward ROS, PSFH Your cardiologist's excessi... Read more
You Be the Expert:
Prepare for EKGs With Pacer Checks
Question: Can I charge a pacer check and an EKG on the same day? We are having problems w... Read more
Reader Question:
Use 2 Codes for Different Vascular Families
Question: My cardiologist performed a catheterization of the right vertebral (third order... Read more
Reader Question:
Sometimes SPECT/CT Doesn't Merit a CT Code
Question: I heard that if I perform a SPECT/CT and the CT portion of the system is singl... Read more
Reader Question:
Save Time by Crossing Out Unnecessary ABNs
Question: I recently started working at a practice that I think overuses ABNs. Can we ask... Read more
Reader Question:
How to Report Smoking Cessation Counseling
Question: We're not having much success getting payment for smoking cessation counseling ... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Get Burned by EP Consultations
Question: If a patient presented in the office on one day for CAD (414.01) and comes back... Read more
Reader Question:
Include Carotid Massage in E/M Service
Question: I've looked in CPT for a code for carotid massage, but our physician says the c... Read more
Conquer Your Nuclear Medicine Claims by Mastering This Op Report
Hint: One code will depend on the setting Prepare for complicated nuclear medicine claims ... Read more
Clear Up Consult Confusion With 5 R's -- Not Just 3
If you fail to document the request, you could land in hot water If you're planning to sta... Read more
CMS ROUNDUP ~ Zip Through 4 New CMS Releases
Here's what the agency says about medically unlikely edits Keeping track of cardiology-rel... Read more
YOU BE THE EXPERT ~ EP Components for Ventricular Stimulation
Question: Can I bill for a ventricular stimulation and right ventricle recording with the ... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Avoid Reporting Possible AAA Dx
Question: My cardiologist ordered a retroperitoneal ultrasound with the admitting diagnosi... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ How to Report LIMA, RIMA Bypass Grafts
Question: How should I bill for a left inferior mammary artery (LIMA) and right inferior m... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Never Use 99211 With 90772
Question: If a patient pays for her medicine and goes to the clinic for the nurse to give ... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Consider Intervention With Ostial LAD
Question: How should I code an intervention on an ostial LAD? Georgia Subscriber Answer: F... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Avoid Half-Units of Adenosine
Question: If we use the entire vial of a 20-mg vial of adenosine during a nuclear study, h... Read more
NCCI 13.0 UPDATE ~ Apply These Epicardial Electrode Edits and Increase Your Coding Accuracy
Learn what good news you can apply to your E/M coding practices The overriding trend for N... Read more
NCCI 13.0 UPDATE ~ 4 Cardiac Imaging Procedures Make the NCCI Hit List
Red flag: The new fluoro codes aren't the only fluoro codes affected If you want the full ... Read more
AICD CODES, PART 2 ~ When You Remove a Component, 1 Code Won't Do The Trick
Tip: Ask yourself if the lead is the same or different Last month, you learned how to code... Read more
YOU BE THE EXPERT ~ Find Your Way to Correct Warfarin Codes
Question: I'm finding that Medicare is not accepting the new codes for Coumadin (warfarin)... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Beware Explosion Codes
Question: What are explosion codes, and should we use them?Tennessee Subscriber Answer: Ex... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Count Stent Codes Carefully
Question: If my cardiologist places drug eluting and non-drug eluting stents in the same v... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Tackle This Tilt Table Challenge
Question: My cardiologist performed a tilt table test, and he waited 72 hours to repeat th... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Zoom In on Supervision Requirements
Question: I just read the article "3 Steps Will Bolster Your Supervision Level Know-How" i... Read more
AICD CODES, PART 1 ~ Perfect Your AICD Insertion, EP Eval and Upgrade Coding -- Here's How
Tip: You can report EP evaluations at the time of AICD insertions If you're overwhelmed b... Read more
CPT 2007 UPDATE ~ How to Decide Between New and Established Patient Status
Even if the patient has been to your office before, she might be new Proper coding for var... Read more
Master These Top-3 Modifier 25 Problems and Get Claims Paid
You may still need to apply modifier 25 with XXX global-day procedures You've only just st... Read more
NPI:
Get Proper CMS-1500 Instructions Now
Find out how revised MLN article MM5060 affects you You don't want to miss this revision t... Read more
YOU BE THE EXPERT ~ Consider Intervention With LAD
Question: How should I code an intervention on an ostial LAD?Georgia SubscriberAnswer: Fir... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Looking for Pseudoaneurysm Dx? Check Aneurysm
Question: My cardiologist documented a "pseudoaneurysm." What is it, and what diagnosis co... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Count on These Calcium Scoring Codes
Question: Our hospital recently purchased a 64-slice CT scanner. Will we have reimbursemen... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Be Aware of Modifier 51 Symbol
Question: Can I use modifier 51 with 36620 when my cardiologist performs a catheterization... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ You Have 2 Options for Arterial Thrombosis
Question: What diagnosis code should I use for arterial thrombosis?Wyoming Subscriber Answ... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Planned vs. Unplanned Makes a Difference
Question: How does an unplanned vs. planned intervention change my coding? Tennessee Subsc... Read more
Available Years:  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998