I'm looking for input regarding coding EKGs. This is what I understand the codes to mean:
- 93005 = EKG tracing only / no interpretation.
- 93000 = EKG tracing with interpretation & report documented on same day as the EKG was taken.
- 93010 = EKG tracing with interpretation & report documented on a different day as the EKG was taken.
I suppose my main question is what constitutes an interpretatin & report? My docs will say "normal EKG, no ST-wave changes" and this is documented in the patient's EMR in the doc's progress note. Does this constitute appropriate documentation to support coding 93000 or 93010 (depending on timing)? I understand "normal EKG" or "abnormal EKG" is not sufficient documentation.
Second part of my question: In our office the patient has an EKG done and then the doc will interpret the reading (on the same day the EKG was taken) and then send the EKG to a different facility for the official full-written report. Can we code 93000 or 93010 (again depending on timing) or should we just be coding the 93005 for the tracing?
Your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks much!
- 93005 = EKG tracing only / no interpretation.
- 93000 = EKG tracing with interpretation & report documented on same day as the EKG was taken.
- 93010 = EKG tracing with interpretation & report documented on a different day as the EKG was taken.
I suppose my main question is what constitutes an interpretatin & report? My docs will say "normal EKG, no ST-wave changes" and this is documented in the patient's EMR in the doc's progress note. Does this constitute appropriate documentation to support coding 93000 or 93010 (depending on timing)? I understand "normal EKG" or "abnormal EKG" is not sufficient documentation.
Second part of my question: In our office the patient has an EKG done and then the doc will interpret the reading (on the same day the EKG was taken) and then send the EKG to a different facility for the official full-written report. Can we code 93000 or 93010 (again depending on timing) or should we just be coding the 93005 for the tracing?
Your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks much!