Cardiology Question for the Week of November 14, 2022

Question:

A diagnostic cardiac catheterization is performed demonstrating two-vessel coronary disease. Due to contrast load, the procedure is staged. A lesion in the LAD is treated by a DES at the initial session and the right coronary lesion is treated at a separate encounter. Can the injection of the coronary arteries during the second encounter be coded and billed with code 93454 (coronary angiography only)?

Answer:

Medical necessity is required to code and bill another diagnostic study. For example, a prior study is available but is documented in the medical record as follows: The patient’s condition with respect to the clinical indication has changed since the prior study. A staged intervention where coronary injections are done prior to the procedure, to set up the procedure, is not billable.

This question was answered in our Peripheral & Cardiology Coder. For more hot topics relating to cardiology services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

CPT® copyright 2023 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.

Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.

CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

SPRING INTO SAVINGS! Get 21% OFF during our exclusive two-day sale starting 3/21/2024. Use SPRING24 at checkout to claim this offer. Click here to learn more →