Cardiology Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Focus on Cardioversion Situation

Question: Once the patient was appropriately prepped, anesthetized, and laid in the supine position with their chest exposed, the provider attached cardioversion pads onto the patient’s chest. The provider noted baseline cardiac output rates. They then connected the pads to an external defibrillator, which monitored the patient’s heart rhythm and delivered the electrical shock to bring the patient’s heart rate and rhythm back to normal. How should I report this procedure?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: Report 92960 (Cardioversion, elective, electrical conversion of arrhythmia; external) on your claim.

Don’t miss: The baseline cardiac output rates illustrate the abnormality in the heart rate, which helps to analyze the intensity of electrical shock that the provider will deliver.

If your provider performs internal cardioversion using drugs, report 92961 (Cardioversion, elective, electrical conversion of arrhythmia; internal (separate procedure)) instead.

“Codes 92960 and 92961 are reported for elective procedures and should not be reported for emergent cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” says Robin Peterson, CPC, CPMA, senior consultant; compliance review, education, and training, Pinnacle Enterprise Risk Consulting Services in Centennial, Colorado.