CPT 2009 shells out definitions galore to help decipher new monitoring codes.If you know the 93727-93736 series (Electronic analysis ...) for pacemaker and defibrillator interrogation by heart, take care. That range will go by the wayside Jan. 1, when CPT deletes the whole code series, as well as 93741-93744 (Electronic analysis of pacing cardioverter-defibrillator ...) and 93760-93762 (Thermogram ...).In place of these trusted cardiology codes, you'll find a whole new section titled "Cardiovascular Device Monitoring -- Implantable Devices," with a code range from 93279 (Programming device evaluation with iterative adjustment of the implantable device to test the function of the device and select optimal permanent programmed values with physician analysis, review and report; single lead pacemaker system) through 93299 (Interrogation device evaluation[s], [remote] up to 30 days; implantable cardiovascular monitor system or implantable loop recorder system, remote data acquisition[s], receipt of transmissions and technician review, technical support and distribution of results).Don't Expect Crosswalk to Be a CakewalkAccording to notes in CPT where the old device interrogations used to be, you can use the following crosswalk as a reference. But watch out -- "careful review of the new codes illustrates that there is much more to adapting to the new codes than referencing a crosswalk," says Jim Collins, CCC, president of
http://CardiologyCoder.Com.For example, new remote interrogation codes span all remote and nonprogramming in-person interrogations provided for a 90-day period of time. But programming interrogations (which do not necessarily require reprogramming of the device) are separately billable, Collins explains. Plus, CPT introduced new codes for implantable cardiovascular monitors, a new telephonic pacemaker interrogation service (also covering a 90-day period of time), and on/off programming before and after surgery (peri-procedural) services, he says.Deleted codes 2009 crosswalk93727 93285, 93291, 9329893731 93280, 93288, 9329493732 93280, 93288, 9329493733 9329393734 93279, 93288, 9329493735 93279, 93288, 9329493736 9329393741 93282, 93289, 93292, 9329593742 93282, 93289, 93292, 9329593743 93283, 93289, 9329593744 93283, 93289, 93295Reading the Guidelines Is a Must for AccuracyBonus: Just as important as the new codes is the nearly three-page explanation that CPT 2009 provides to walk you through the different types of devices you might encounter.For instance, CPT offers in-depth descriptions that help you differentiate between single-lead, dual-lead, and "multiple"-lead devices. In addition, you'll find explanations of implantable loop recorders, implantable cardiovascular monitors, programming interrogations, and other obscure concepts."It's actually going to help a lot of people, I think," says Carla Whitmire, a biller with Strategic Coding Systems in Little Rock, Ark. "If CPT's going to give new codes for various types of devices, it would stand to reason that they'd explain what each device is to eliminate confusion. Usually CPT provides this type of information in its CPT Changes book," but this year the manual gives you [...]
