Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: When my cardiologist performs a diagnostic test (for instance, an echocardiogram) and it turns out inconclusive or negative, should I still report the diagnosis that he was attempting to rule out (such as coronary artery disease)?

Virginia Subscriber

Answer: You should report the signs and symptoms the patient has. If you code them completely and carefully, you should collect reimbursement.

For instance, a patient presents with complaints of chest pain and presumptive angina. The cardiologist performs a cardiac workup, which turns out negative. Further determination reveals the patient has only gastroesophageal reflex -- a diagnosis that alone doesn't medically justify the cardiac test. You should report 786.50 (Chest pain, unspecified) for the cardiac workup, not 530.81 (Esophageal reflux).