Cardiology Coding Alert

In the stent coding example on p. 58, codes 93510, 93555, and 93556 all have both professional and technical components designated in the fee schedule. So when the procedure takes place in the facility setting the cardiologist should append modifier 26 (Professional component) to these codes, as well as any other relevant modifiers.

Pitfall: Remember the tip from Barbara J. Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CENTC, CHCC, president of CRN Healthcare Solutions in New Jersey. She warns that people often think of the professional component as PC and the technical component as TC. Although the modifier for "technical component" is TC, modifier PC (Wrong surgery or other invasive procedure on patient) is certainly not correct for the professional component. So double check that you've appended modifier 26 for the professional component.