Cardiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Dig Into Arrhythmia Induction Code Descriptors

Question: Which code should I report if the cardiologist tried to induce an arrhythmia, but he was not successful?

California Subscriber

Answer: To report a complete electrophysiologic (EP) evaluation where the physician tries to induce arrhythmia but fails, choose 93620 (Comprehensive electrophysiologic evaluation including insertion and repositioning of multiple electrode catheters with induction or attempted induction of arrhythmia; with right atrial pacing and recording, right ventricular pacing and recording, His bundle recording).

According to its descriptor, 93620 is appropriate “with induction or attempted induction of arrhythmia.”

Look at 93620’s descriptor in comparison to 93619 (Comprehensive electrophysiologic evaluation with right atrial pacing and recording, right ventricular pacing and recording, His bundle recording, including insertion and repositioning of multiple electrode catheters, without induction or attempted induction of arrhythmia).

Breakdown: According to its descriptor, 93619 is “without induction or attempted induction.” So, if the physician makes any attempt at induction (whether it’s successful or not), you would use 93620. On the other hand, if the physician makes no attempt at induction at all, then you would report 93619.

Important:  If you only report the professional component of the evaluation, append modifier 26 (Professional component) to 93619 and 93620.