Cardiology CPT 2009 Crash Course: Device Monitoring

Posted on 10. Feb, 2009 by Editor in Hot Coding Topics

Our programming eval guide can put your 93279-93285 fears to rest

CPT 2009 is a whole new world for device monitoring, but if you know how to approach the onslaught of new CPT guidelines available, you’ll learn the ropes in no time.

Master your terms: To understand the new “Cardiovascular Device Monitoring — Implantable and Wearable Devices” section of CPT (93279-93299), you have to be sure your understanding of several terms matches CPT’s. For example, to choose among the new code families (consider a family to be a code set with a common start to their descriptors) you will need to distinguish concepts such as programming and interrogation. But within the family itself, you will need to make even more distinctions, such as which technology is involved.

Eliminate the ‘Reprogramming’ Concept for 2009

Start here: The first code family is 93279-93285 (Programming device evaluation with iterative adjustment of the implantable device to test the function of the device and select optimal permanent programmed values with physician analysis, review and report …)

AUDIO ON DEMAND: 2009 Cardiology Coding Update with Jim Collins.

Key point: You need to pay close attention to the definition of programming for 2009 codes, according to Bruce Wilkoff, MD, FACC, co-presenter of the “ACC/MedAxiom Webinar on New 2009 CPT Codes for Cardiac Device Monitoring.” Wilkoff is director of cardiac pacing and tachyarrhythmia devices for the Cleveland Clinic.

Here’s why: Many 2008 codes were separated by whether they involved reprogramming. But you won’t see the term “reprogramming” in the 2009 codes.

For example: Consider the following 2008 codes:

• 93734 — Electronic analysis of single chamber pacemaker system (includes evaluation of programmable parameters at rest and during activity where applicable, using electrocardiographic recording...

Tags: 93279, 93285, cardiology, device monitoring, ICD, ICM, ILR, pacemaker