Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Identify EEG and ECG as Distinct Procedures

Published on Mon Sep 24, 2012

Question: Our clinician performed an EEG on a patient. He also documented that the patient underwent an ECG. Can we report codes 95953 and 93268 together? We have been getting denials for 93268 though we did document that the reason for ECG was chest pain. Please help.

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you can report codes 95953 (Monitoring for localization of cerebral seizure focus by computerized portable 16 or more channel EEG, electroencephalographic [EEG] recording and interpretation, each 24 hours, unattended) and 93268 (External patient and, when performed, auto activated electrocardiographic rhythm derived event recording with symptom-related memory loop with remote download capability up to 30 days, 24-hour attended monitoring; includes transmission, physician review and interpretation) together.

Regarding your denial, there isn't a bundle that prevents reporting the two codes together. Check whether a local coverage determination (LCD) policy is applicable in your state. If so, make sure you are reporting the diagnosis code from the ICD-9 list available in the LCD policy.

Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

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