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Cardiology Coding Alert

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Prepare for EKGs With Pacer Checks

Published on Wed Mar 28, 2007

Question: Can I charge a pacer check and an EKG on the same day? We are having problems with a payer kicking them out, saying the EKG is bundled into the pacer check.


Georgia Subscriber


Answer: You should include the EKG with the pacer check. In other words, the work associated with 93000 (Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and report) is part of the pacer check code (93731-93732 or 93734-93735), according to the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI). If your cardiologist sees the patient and performs an EKG for an indication unrelated to the pacer, however, you can use modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service). But most of the time, the EKGs are related to the pacer check
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