Reader Questions:
Verify ICE Catheterization Before Coding
Published on Thu Aug 27, 2009
Question: How should I report PFO/ASD closure using an ICE catheter for guidance? Idaho Subscriber Answer: For patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD) closure, you should assign 93580 (Percutaneous transcatheter closure of congenital interatrial communication [i.e., Fontan fenestration, atrial septal defect] with implant). Code +93662-26 (Intracardiac echocardiography during therapeutic/diagnostic intervention, including imaging supervision and interpretation [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]; Professional component) describes intracardiac echo (ICE) catheter for guidance. ICE is an imaging service that gives the doctor diagnostic information and anatomic landmarks to help guide the procedure. You shouldn't assume the physician always uses ICE, but your cardiologist could use it as an aid, so be sure to capture the service when performed.