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Cardiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Consider 794.31 Best Bet for QRS Variations

Published on Sat Jan 02, 2010

Question: Some of our cardiologists document narrow or wide QRS complex. What do these translate to in terms of ICD-9 coding? Tennessee Subscriber Answer: ICD-9 doesn't offer "specific codes for variations or abnormalities in QRS duration," according to the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) at www.hrsonline.org/Policy/CodingReimbursement/coding/icd-9/ICD-Diagnostic-Codes.cfm. HRS suggests using general code 794.31 (Abnormal electrocardiogram [ECG] [EKG]). Exception: If the patient has a documented long QT syndrome diagnosis, you should report 426.82 (Long QT syndrome).
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