Cardiology Coding Alert

HCPCS 2010:

Check A9500's Descriptor or Risk 2010 Denials

Millicuries won't dictate units anymore.

Cardiolite coding will get a little clearer in 2010.HCPCS has removed the confusing phrase "up to 40 millicuries," effective Jan. 1, 2010:

2009: A9500 -- Technetium Tc-99m sestamibi, diagnostic, per study dose, up to 40 millicuries

2010: A9500 -- Technetium Tc-99m sestamibi, diagnostic, per study dose.

But as in 2009, verify with your payer what it considers to be a "study." Typically, you should be able to report one dose for a test's rest phase and one dose for the stress phase, but a few payers may consider the two phases to be a single study.

Resource: You can download the 2010 HCPCS codes at www.cms.hhs.gov/HCPCSReleaseCodeSets/ANHCPCS/list.asp.

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