Cardiology Coding Alert

New specialty code could help support visits to multiple MDs.

For years, cardiology coders have been frustrated by rules that made it tough to get paid for services when the patient saw an electrophysiologist (EP) and another cardiologist on the same date.

Help is on the way: In MLN Matters article number MM7209, CMS announced a new specialty code effective April 1, 2011, that should have EPs excited:

• Cardiac electrophysiology -- Code 21.

You can report your physician's services using the new specialty code if the doctor self-designates his specialty as such during enrollment in Medicare (application form CMS-855I) or PECOS registration. If you are unsure of whether your physician has enrolled as a particular specialty, you can check the PECOS record using theMedicare online system at https://pecos.cms.hhs.gov.

To read the article on the new specialty codes, visit www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM7209.pdf.