ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Medicare states that the EKG interpretative report must be a complete written report similar to that usually prepared by a specialist in the field and should be consistent with the service furnished. Medicare policy also states an "interpretation and report" should address the current findings, relevant clinical issues, and comparative data when available. Discern Review from Interpreted Report A chart notation of "EKG normal" is deemed an insufficient interpretation and report and would be considered a "review" rather than an interpretive report. This is the type of "review" that would be included as part of the "Amount and Complexity of Data Reviewed" element of Medical Decision Making, says Caral Edelberg, CPC, CPMA, CAC, CCS-P, CHC, President of Edelberg Compliance Associates in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Although individual payers may develop their own standards, some Medicare carriers follow the requirement that an EKG interpretation should include at least 3 of the following [...]