Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: Our cardiologist says to report supervision and interpretation (S&I) separately when a stent is performed. Should we use 93555 (Imaging supervision, interpretation and report for injection procedure[s] during cardiac catheterization; ventricular and/or atrial angiography) and/or 93556 ( pulmonary angiography, aortography, and/or selective coronary angiography including venous bypass grafts and arterial conduits [whether native or used in bypass]) in addition to 92980 (Transcatheter placement of an intracoronary stent[s], percutaneous, with or without other therapeutic intervention, any method; single vessel)?

Oregon Subscriber

Answer: Codes 93555 and 93556 clearly state they are to be used "during cardiac catheterization." They may also be reported when coronary angiography (93508) is reported. The American College of Cardiology's (ACC) Guide to CPT Coding states that coronary interventions, including stent placements, "include the placement of catheters for the purpose of coronary angioplasty and the injection of dye to determine catheter/balloon placement and the effectiveness of the therapy."

Although the ACC does not specifically refer to S&I, 93555 and 93556 are bundled with stent placements and other interventions under the Correct Coding Initiative. In short, if no heart catheterization or separately reportable coronary angiography is performed, don't use these codes.