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ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

READER QUESTION ~ ECGs in ED Call for 'Interpretation and Report Only' Code

Published on Fri Feb 09, 2007

Question: Our ED physician performed an electrocardiogram (ECG) on a patient complaining of chest pain. The physician also interpreted the ECG. I reported 93000, and we received a denial. What did I do wrong?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: The insurer denied the claim because you chose the wrong ECG code for an ED setting. The ECG code 93000 (Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and report) is for practices that own the ECG equipment. In the ED, the hospital owns the ECG equipment, so you cannot use 93000.

The proper code choice for your scenario is 93010 (... interpretation and report only). On the claim, remember to link 786.50 (Chest pain, unspecified) to 93010 to represent the patient's chest pain.
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