Gastroenterology Coding Alert
Forget 'Prolonged' pH Monitoring
Question: How should I report a seven-hour pH electrode test for GERD? I can't find a code in CPT that takes into account the prolonged nature of the test.
New York Subscriber
Answer: You can't find a code to describe prolonged pH electrode testing for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) because CPT eliminated that code for 2005.
You should now report all catheter pH-monitoring sessions with 91034 (Esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux test; with nasal catheter pH electrode[s] placement, recording, analysis and interpretation).
Therefore, if a patient reports for a pH study to identify the cause of acute esophagitis and the gastro-enterologist performs a seven-hour pH monitoring session, you should:
- report 91034 for the pH testing
- attach ICD-9 code 530.12 (Acute esophagitis) to 91034 to represent the patient's symptoms
- document any previous treatments or tests the GI physician performed on the patient for the condition.
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