Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: My cardiologist performed a combined right heart catheterization and transseptal left heart catheterization through intact septum for congenital cardiac anomalies. How should I report this procedure? I was considering either 93530, 93531, 93532, or 93533, but I am not sure which code is correct.

Oregon Subscriber

Answer: Since your cardiologist is doing a combined right heart catheterization and transseptal left heart catheterization through intact septum, you should report 93532 (Combined right heart catheterization and transseptal left heart catheterization through intact septum with or without retrograde left heart catheterization, for congenital cardiac anomalies).

Code 93530 (Right heart catheterization, for congenital cardiac anomalies) applies to right heart catheterization alone in cardiac anomalies, and 93531 (Combined right heart catheterization and retrograde left heart catheterization, for congenital cardiac anomalies) applies to right heart catheterization with retrograde left heart catheterization.

On the other hand, 93533 (Combined right heart catheterization and transseptal left heart catheterization through existing septal opening, with or without retrograde left heart catheterization, for congenital cardiac anomalies) applies to combined right heart catheterization and transseptal left heart catheterization through an existing opening in the septum.