ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
READER QUESTION ~ ECGs in ED Call for 'Interpretation and Report Only' Code
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.
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
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