This page addresses follow-up questions and additional information pertinent to our webinar
Foundations of Congenital Cardiac Cath Coding: Tiny Heart, Big Procedures.
** The coding information and guidance are valid at the time of publishing. Learners are encouraged to research
subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.
Q: If a patient had a congenital cardiac cath with normal connections and that defect has been repaired (e.g., ASD, VSD), should we use the congenital or non-congenital cardiac cath codes?
A: Once a patient is diagnosed with CHD, the congenital cardiac cath codes should always be used. Per CPT Assistant, April 2022, page 14, if the patient presented for cardiac catheterization performed primarily for congenital heart disease or a residual or recurrence of a congenital heart disease, the congenital cardiac cath codes should be used, regardless of the patient’s age. However, if the patient presented for cardiac catheterization for another condition, such as a STEMI, and the patient has a history of a repaired CHD, the noncongenital codes should be used.
Q: Can nonselective pulmonary angiography during a cardiac cath be coded in addition to selective imaging or is it bundled?
A: Although it seems counterintuitive, when both nonselective and selective pulmonary angiography are performed, both can be coded.
Q: If a patient has one of the “Fab Four” congenital conditions that is reported using the noncongenital cardiac catheterization codes, but also has another congenital heart defect that is not one of the Fab Four, should the congenital or noncongenital catheterization codes be reported?
A: If an additional congenital heart defect (e.g., an atrial septal defect [ASD]) is present and is documented and evaluated during the catheterization, the case is no longer considered an isolated “Fab Four” condition. In this situation, the congenital cardiac catheterization codes (93593-93598) may be appropriate, depending on the patient’s anatomy and the diagnostic or interventional catheterization services performed.
Meet the Presenter: Kristi Pollard, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC
Kristi is the Director of Coding Quality & Education with more than 25 years of industry experience; she is responsible for the development of web-based, instructor-led, and webinar training materials; conducting training in ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT; and performing DRG and APC audits. Kristi has an extensive background in coding education and consulting and is a national speaker and published writer on topics related to ICD-10 and CPT coding and code-based reimbursement. She has designed and developed training programs for inpatient and outpatient hospital-based coding, with a focus on vascular interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, orthopedics, and obstetrics.
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