Cardiology Coding Alert
Unlisted Echocardiogram Procedure
New York Subscriber
Answer: Although electrophysiology studies are not specifically mentioned in the descriptor for 93662 (Intra-cardiac echocardiography during therapeutic/diagnostic intervention, including imaging supervision and interpretation [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]), CPT 2002 lists the following codes to which 93662 may be added: 93621-93622 (electrophysiology studies) and 93651-93652 (ablations).
Even though the cardiologist performed a diagnostic procedure (the heart catheterization) and a therapeutic procedure (the stent), 93662 should not be reported. Instead, report 93799 (Unlisted cardiovascular service or procedure). Unlisted-procedure codes are automatically reviewed; therefore, the claim should be submitted manually with the patients record, which should clearly and accurately document the intracardiac echocardiogram and why it was performed. The carrier is likely to scrutinize the notes to determine if it qualifies as a medically necessary service. Additionally, a price should be determined for the service, because unlisted procedures are not on the Medicare fee schedule. The fee for 93662-26 (Professional component) (4.33 RVUs) may be used as a guide to determine the correct fee for 93799.
Note: Carriers can determine whether to cover and how much to pay for global code 93662 and 93662-TC (Technical component). Only the professional component of the procedure (93662-26) is a nationally covered Medicare service.
Cardiology Coding Alert
- Peripheral Intervention:
What You Need to Know to Code Correctly
Coders can toss out the cardiology coding rule book when billing for peripheral intervention (PI), [...] - Develop Standard Practice for Conscious Sedation Billing
The existence of a CPT code for a procedure or service is no guarantee of [...] - Deletion of G Code Should Prompt Call to Part B Carriers
Cardiologists who review data gathered by a non-looping event monitor and report G0016 (Post-symptom telephonic [...] - You Be the Coder:
Coronary Artery Modifiers
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Reader Question:
Modifier -25 and Global Periods
Question: Consult service 99254 is performed on the same day as placement of a central [...] - Reader Question:
Endomyocardial Biopsy
Question: Our cardiologist performed an endomyocardial biopsy in the course of left and right heart [...] - Reader Question:
Probe Placement
Question: Our cardiologist performed a transesophageal echocardiogram (including placing the probe). My physician says I [...] - Reader Question:
Unlisted Echocardiogram Procedure
Question: An intracardiac echocardiogram is performed in the catheterization lab following a catheterization/stent procedure. We [...] - Reader Question:
Cardiac Output
Question: Our cardiologists want to provide bioimpedance testing. Does this testing apply to patients with [...]
