Cardiology Coding Alert
Indicate Distinct Nature of ECG
Question: If the cardiologist performs an ECG and decides the patient needs a stress echo the same day, may I report both?
New Hampshire Subscriber
Answer: You may report the services separately because the ECG was a distinct diagnostic ECG rather than an integral part of the stress echo.
Assuming you’re in the office setting and provided all the components of both tests, report the stress echo using 93351 (Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation [2D], includes M-mode recording, when performed, during rest and cardiovascular stress test using treadmill, bicycle exercise and/or pharmacologically induced stress, with interpretation and report; including performance of continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, with supervision by a physician or other qualified health care professional).
Add 93000 (Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and report) for the ECG. You’ll need to add a modifier to override the edit bundling 93000 into 93351. You may use modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) or XE (Separate encounter), depending on payer preference.
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Indicate Distinct Nature of ECG
Question: If the cardiologist performs an ECG and decides the patient needs a stress echo the [...]
