Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: I saw a notice that our LCD for Noninvasive Vascular Testing (L31712) was revised. How has it changed?North Carolina SubscriberAnswer: The Palmetto GBA local coverage determination (LCD) you refer to has had two revisions since September. Both add ICD-9 codes supporting coverage for a variety of services. Effective for dates of service on or after Sept. 1, 2011, the LCD added multiple diagnosis codes supporting noninvasive vascular testing. The LCD pairs specific ICD-9 codes with specific CPT® codes.For example: The revision adds codes 454.8 (Varicose veins of lower extremities with other complications) and 586 (Renal failure unspecified) to the list of ICD-9 codes supporting these procedure codes:93965, Noninvasive physiologic studies of extremity veins, complete bilateral study (e.g., Doppler waveform analysis with responses to compression and other maneuvers, phleborheography, impedance plethysmography)93970, Duplex scan of extremity veins including responses to compression and other maneuvers; complete bilateral study93971, Duplex scan of extremity [...]