subject: Attend a Cardiology Coding Conference [print this page] Attend a Cardiology Coding Conference Attend a Cardiology Coding Conference
Just like the specialty itself, coding for cardiology too can leave you perplexed. You many often find yourself struggling with various cardiology coding questions. Say for instance you may be asking yourself:
"A pediatrician sent a patient to us as he suspected a congenital heart defect. The cardiologist carried out an echo however didn't find any anomaly. Should I go for a congenital echo for this service?
Answer: When the cardiologist carries out echocardiography for a suspected congenital anomaly, however doesn't find one, you should go for a congenital echo code.
Aid: CPT Assistant (December 1997) says that you shouldn't use the congenital echo codes "when a congenital heart disease is suspected, however is not found on echocardiography evaluation. Here, the non-congenital echocardiography codes should be reported.
So in place of 93303-93304 or 93315-93317, you should use a code like 93306-93308 or 93312-93314.
Tip: Do not let clinical significance of the anomaly impact your code. If the cardiologist does find an anomaly, however notes that it does not require treatment or that it may heal itself, you should still report the congenital echo code.
So if questions relating to congenital echo code or for that matter any question relating to cardiology coding bog you down, the best place to seek help is a cardiology coding conference . Attending one will see to it that you are well-versed with all cardiology coding know how. And in fact, you don't have to travel the distance to attend one, as a cardiology coding conference is taking place at Orlando, FL this December.
