Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way healthcare operates on a systemic level, creating revolutionary change, promise, controversy, and new challenges. This rapid evolution may leave professionals in the dark if they don’t keep up with the changes, and the field of cardiology is no exception. AI has reached into almost every component of cardiology, revolutionizing how cardiovascular diseases are not only diagnosed but also managed and treated, influencing data at every step of the process and contributing to patient outcomes. AI’s ability to analyze an unprecedented amount of data is a hallmark never before achieved in history. As part of American Heart Month, we are exploring the ways AI has impacted cardiology coding and what new changes are in store for 2026.
The power to analyze a wealth of data is having an exponential impact on cardiology, extending its capabilities into echocardiograms, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and imaging studies at a scale never seen before. Experts agree that AI algorithms have the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, enhance patient monitoring, and predict outcomes on a scale and timeline that exceed traditional methods.
AI-driven tools are already enhancing the interpretation of ECGs and echocardiograms. A series of Category III codes detail the growth and impact of these services. First introduced in 2025, these Category III codes describe the application of AI in augmentative analysis, specifically in calculating QTc intervals and detecting heart failure noninvasively. In 2026, a brand-new code new code 0962T was introduced as part of this evolution, accounting for the expansion of these capabilities and advances in medicine.
| 0902T | QTc interval derived by augmentative algorithmic analysis of input from an external, patient-activated mobile ECG device |
| 0932T | Noninvasive detection of heart failure derived from augmentative analysis of an echocardiogram that demonstrated preserved ejection fraction, with interpretation and report by a physician or other qualified health care professional |
| 0962T | Assistive algorithmic analysis of acoustic and electrocardiogram recording for detection of cardiac dysfunction (eg, reduced ejection fraction, cardiac murmurs, atrial fibrillation), with review and interpretation by a physician or other qualified health care professional |
These codes highlight and showcase how AI is being integrated into routine cardiovascular care, supporting clinicians in making more informed decisions and ultimately optimizing patient outcomes. Beyond cardiovascular services, AI is making significant advances in medical imaging. The introduction of additional Category III codes in 2025 for chest imaging (0877T–0880T), as well as new codes in 2026 for noninvasive assessment of cardiac risk (0992T and 0993T), represents another leap forward in the application of AI.
The codes encompass the application of AI to improve the precision and efficiency of diagnosing conditions such as heart disease and abnormalities identified in chest X-rays and CT scans.
AI systems are expected to continue expanding their capabilities in the future, assisting radiologists in detecting early-stage diseases, reducing diagnostic errors, and even providing predictive analytics based on imaging data.
In 2023, the American Medical Association (AMA) laid out its principles on AI in healthcare. These principles were intended to build a robust framework to promote the safe, ethical, and effective use of AI. The framework also carries the responsibility of providing ethical guidelines to minimize the very real risks to patients, physicians, and other healthcare professionals that arise from technologies still being refined. There are several key areas professionals should be aware of, as outlined in our Peripheral & Cardiology Coder:
Oversight. The AMA advocates for a collaborative, cross-sector approach to AI governance, emphasizing the need for both government and non-government entities to participate in the development and regulation of AI technologies. This holistic governance approach ensures that risks associated with AI, such as data misuse or biased algorithms, are managed proactively. By fostering this collaboration, the AMA envisions a future where AI development is closely monitored but flexible enough to allow for innovation, addressing both safety concerns and opportunities for improved patient outcomes.
Disclosure and Documentation. In scenarios where AI directly affects medical decisions, clear and accurate documentation is essential. The AMA emphasizes the importance of disclosing AI’s role in patient care, decision-making, and healthcare records to maintain transparency, uphold ethical standards, and meet legal and compliance requirements. To ensure accuracy and accountability, healthcare professionals must implement checks and balances within the documentation process. This can involve routine audits, peer reviews, and verification systems that validate the data entered into patient records. Additionally, by documenting AI’s involvement appropriately, providers can ensure clarity in patient histories, establish a reliable chain of accountability, and reduce potential errors stemming from AI-assisted decision-making. This practice not only bolsters patient trust but also helps safeguard against legal liabilities by ensuring the accuracy of all AI-related interactions.
⚠️Your Cardiology Coding Remains Under Threat, Creating Significant Risk to Your Bottom Line. These Are NOT All the Tips and Tricks Necessary for Success.⚠️
With every dollar of reimbursement counting more than ever in the face of payment decline and complex changes, it’s imperative to make sure your CPT® coding is correct and compliant. Master more coding topics and break down the complexity with our Comprehensive Cardiology All-Access Pass. From February 1 through February 27, 2026, customers can receive 15 months of access for the price of 12 to MedLearn’s Comprehensive Cardiology All-Access Pass using promo code HEART26.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The narrative in this article reflects the firsthand perspectives and professional experience of Tami McMasters Gomez, curated and prepared for publication by Penny
This week I thought I would revisit the concept of what provider documentation is. It is becoming increasingly difficult for clinical documentation integrity (CDI) and
Please log in to your account to comment on this article.
Expert presenters Kathy Pride, RHIT, CPC, CCS-P, CPMA, and Brandi Russell, RHIA, CCS, COC, CPMA, break down complex fracture care coding rules, walk through correct modifier application (-25, -57, 54, 55), and clarify sequencing for initial and subsequent encounters. Attendees will gain the practical knowledge needed to submit clean claims, ensure compliance, and stay one step ahead of payer audits in 2026.
Accurately determining the principal diagnosis is critical for compliant billing, appropriate reimbursement, and valid quality reporting — yet it remains one of the most subjective and error-prone areas in inpatient coding. In this expert-led session, Cheryl Ericson, RN, MS, CCDS, CDIP, demystifies the complexities of principal diagnosis assignment, bridging the gap between coding rules and clinical reality. Learn how to strengthen your organization’s coding accuracy, reduce denials, and ensure your documentation supports true medical necessity.
Denials continue to delay reimbursement, increase administrative burden, and threaten financial stability across healthcare organizations. This essential webcast tackles the root causes—rising payer scrutiny, fragmented workflows, inconsistent documentation, and underused analytics—and offers proven, data-driven strategies to prevent and overturn denials. Attendees will gain practical tools to strengthen documentation and coding accuracy, engage clinicians effectively, and leverage predictive analytics and AI to identify risks before they impact revenue. Through real-world case examples and actionable guidance, this session empowers coding, CDI, and revenue cycle professionals to shift from reactive appeals to proactive denial prevention and revenue protection.
Sepsis remains one of the most frequently denied and contested diagnoses, creating costly revenue loss and compliance risks. In this webcast, Angela Comfort, DBA, MBA, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, provides practical, real-world strategies to align documentation with coding guidelines, reconcile Sepsis-2 and Sepsis-3 definitions, and apply compliant queries. You’ll learn how to identify and address documentation gaps, strengthen provider engagement, and defend diagnoses against payer scrutiny—equipping you to protect reimbursement, improve SOI/ROM capture, and reduce audit vulnerability in this high-risk area.
Stay ahead of the 2026-2027 audit surge with “Top 10 Audit Targets for 2026-2027 for Hospitals & Physicians: Protect Your Revenue,” a high-impact webcast led by Michael Calahan, PA, MBA. This concise session gives hospitals and physicians clear insight into the most likely federal audit targets, such as E/M services, split/shared and critical care, observation and admissions, device credits, and Two-Midnight Rule changes, and shows how to tighten documentation, coding, and internal processes to reduce denials, recoupments, and penalties. Attendees walk away with practical best practices to protect revenue, strengthen compliance, and better prepare their teams for inevitable audits.
As AI reshapes healthcare compliance, the risk of biased outputs and opaque decision-making grows. This webcast, led by Frank Cohen, delivers a practical Four-Pillar Governance Framework—Transparency, Accountability, Fairness, and Explainability—to help you govern AI-driven claim auditing with confidence. Learn how to identify and mitigate bias, implement robust human oversight, and document defensible AI review processes that regulators and auditors will accept. Discover concrete remedies, from rotation protocols to uncertainty scoring, and actionable steps to evaluate vendors before contracts are signed. In a regulatory landscape that moves faster than ever, gain the tools to stay compliant, defend your processes, and reduce liability while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Get clear, practical answers to Medicare’s most confusing regulations. Join Dr. Ronald Hirsch as he breaks down real-world compliance challenges and shares guidance your team can apply right away.
Federal auditors are zeroing in on Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) and hospital rehab unit services, with OIG and CERT audits leading to millions in penalties—often due to documentation and administrative errors, not quality of care. Join compliance expert Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, to learn the five clinical “pillars” of IRF-PPS admissions, key documentation requirements, and real-life case lessons to help protect your revenue.
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 1 with code CYBER25
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24
