Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: Our practice is now performing electrocardiograms (ECGs) on some patients before and after anthracycline chemotherapy. We have just purchased the equipment and perform the exam in-house, and we are then sending out for the interpretation and report. How should we go about reporting this? Do we use 93000? Do we use modifier TC?

West Virginia Subscriber

Answer: For many tests, when a provider only performs the technical component and does not interpret or produce a report, you would report the test and append modifier TC (Technical component…), while the interpreter would append modifier 26 (Professional component) to indicate their part in the procedure.

The ECG codes are a notable exception to this, however, because the ECG code descriptors indicate which parts of the service are being performed. So, if your practice were to perform the test, interpretation, and report, you would use 93000 (Electrocardiogram, routine ECG with at least 12 leads; with interpretation and report).

As your practice is only performing the technical component of the test, however, you would report 93005 (… tracing only, without interpretation and report). The company producing the report will likewise use 93010 (… interpretation and report only) to describe the part they played in the procedure. Because the code descriptors explain whether the technical, professional or both components were performed, it would be redundant to utilize the TC or 26 modifiers.