Cardiology Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Look for Lexiscan Test Codes

Question: Which codes apply to this case performed in our office? The patient has mitral valve disease. The service is a Lexiscan thallium stress test. Rest dose of thallium was injected, followed by rest scan images. Lexiscan was injected followed by the stress scan, and Myoview, followed by the stress scan images. The stress test was significant for left ventricular ejection fraction of 58 percent, and the SPECT perfusion images were significant for a moderate area of inferior wall fixed defect with partial reversibility during stress. Utah Subscriber Answer: Based on the information given, the most specific diagnosis code you can assign is 394.9 (Other and unspecified mitral valve diseases). The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and left ventricle. For the complete stress test, you should report 93015 (Cardiovascular stress test using maximal or submaximal treadmill or bicycle exercise, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, and/or pharmacological stress; with physician [...]
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