Inpatient Facility Coding & Compliance Alert

Question: Does the code 93924 include the charge for treadmill stress testing?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: The code 93924 (Noninvasive physiologic studies of lower extremity arteries, at rest and following treadmill stress testing, [i.e., bidirectional Doppler waveform or volume plethysmography recording and analysis at rest with ankle/brachial indices immediately after and at timed intervals following performance of a standardized protocol on a motorized treadmill plus recording of time of onset of claudication or other symptoms, maximal walking time, and time to recovery] complete bilateral study) applies to noninvasive physiologic studies done in the lower limb arteries at rest and following stress test on treadmill. Therefore, the code includes the charge for treadmill stress testing.

Ideally, a motorized treadmill is used for the performance of these tests. The testing is done at a constant speed and grade, e.g.; 2 mph speed with a grade or incline of 12 percent. Your radiologist may document that the patient has walked on the treadmill for five minutes or until symptoms were reported and the patient was forced to terminate the exercise protocol.

Also: The physician will take and record pressures at timed intervals following performance of the exercise protocol.