Cardiovascular Essentials for Coders-Electrophysiology Studies and Ablations CPT Coding

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Jamie Quimby, a Revenue Cycle Senior Coding Consultant with MedAxium, discusses EP studies and ablations. Quimby emphasizes the importance of understanding the anatomy of the heart when coding and clinically understanding what the physician is doing. She explains the cardiac conduction system and how electrical signals travel through the heart. Quimby also discusses various arrhythmias and what they look like on an EKG strip. She explains the difference between sinus bradycardia and sinus tachycardia, as well as conditions like atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. <br /><br />Quimby then delves into the CPT coding for EP studies and ablations. She explains that an EP study shows how electrical signals move through the heart and that the goal is to measure the signals during an irregular heartbeat. Quimby breaks down the coding for comprehensive EP studies, component codes, and add-on codes for mapping, pacing, and medication testing. She also explains the specific coding for AV node ablation, SVT ablation, VT ablation, and pulmonary vein isolation (atrial fibrillation ablation).<br /><br />Throughout the video, Quimby clarifies common questions and provides guidance on documentation requirements and billing regulations. She also highlights important points from Medicare's National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) manual, including restrictions on billing ultrasound guidance, arterial catheter insertions, cardioversions, device evaluations, and programming. Quimby concludes by providing helpful abbreviations commonly found in EP study reports.

Keywords

Jamie Quimby

EP studies

ablations

cardiac conduction system

arrhythmias

CPT coding

documentation requirements

billing regulations

EP study reports