Correction
Published on Thu Jan 27, 2005
In the November 2004 edition of the Cardiology Coding Alert, on page 15 of the supplement, there is a misprint.
The answer to the Reader Question titled "Don't Confuse ICD Implants and Comprehensive EPS" states that you should report 93640 when the physician tests both the leads and generator, and report 93641 when the physician tests only the leads. This information is backward.
You should report 93640 (Electrophysiologic evaluation of single or dual chamber pacing cardioverter-defibrillator leads including defibrillation threshold evaluation [induction of arrhythmia, evaluation of sensing and pacing for arrhythmia termination] at time of initial implantation or replacement) for the leads only, and report 93641 (... with testing of single or dual chamber pacing cardioverter-defibrillator pulse generator) for both leads as well as a generator.
