CPT Codes: Implantable Pacemaker — In Person: Interrogation

Use this site to locate the CPT®1 code descriptors, instructions and the 2009 national Medicare payment rate associated with the new cardiac device evaluation service codes. Medicare locality-specific payment rates will be available at a later date. Please check back frequently.

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If you know the 2008 or 2009 CPT code, enter the last 3 digits of the code in the box below to obtain detailed coding descriptions for both 2008 and 2009 codes along with Medicare’s 2009 national² payment rate.

93

Implantable Pacemaker — In Person: Interrogation

93731, -TC, -26

Electronic analysis of dual chamber pacemaker system (includes evaluation of programmable parameters at rest and during activity where applicable, using electrocardiographic recording and interpretation of recordings at rest and during exercise, analysis of event markers and device response); dual chamber pacemaker system without reprogramming

93734, -TC, -26

Electronic analysis of single chamber pacemaker system (includes evaluation of programmable parameters at rest and during activity where applicable, using electrocardiographic recording and interpretation of recordings at rest and during exercise, analysis of event markers and device response); without reprogramming

93288, -TC, or -26

Interrogation device evaluation (in person) with physician analysis, review and report, includes connection, recording and disconnection per patient encounter; single, dual, or multiple lead pacemaker system

(Do not report 93288 in conjunction with 93279-93281, 93286, 93294, 93296)

93288	$43.28
93288-TC	$19.12
93288-26	$24.16

Additional Coding Information:
Medtronic has prepared this document to reflect the current information provided in the Display Copy of the 2009 Final Rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.2 It is important to refer to the new CPT code descriptions in order to ensure that a billed code meets the specific requirements defined for each individual code. Any time new procedure codes are implemented, there may be some ambiguity as to exact usage guidelines and/or applicability to very specific individual scenarios. You should contact your local contractor/payer for interpretation of applicable policies. Medtronic may periodically post updated versions of this document on its reimbursement website3 as additional information becomes available.

These new CPT codes were developed to more accurately reflect current cardiac device monitoring capabilities, long distance telemetry and remote interrogation network systems, and follow-up practices. Some of these new code sets are structured differently than the CPT codes that they replace. Specifically, the new codes for remote monitoring do not have separate professional (-26) and technical components (-TC) applied to an individual code. Instead, the new remote monitoring codes have separate CPT codes which represent the professional and technical components. The new device programming codes are generally defined by the number of leads, rather than the type of generator. Also, the period of time included in the specific type of service is indicated as per encounter, 30 or 90 days.

There are two new peri-procedural device evaluation and programming codes: 93286 for pacemakers and 93287 for ICDs. These codes are used when performing an evaluation of an implantable device system to adjust the device settings appropriate for the patient prior to a surgery, procedure, or test. The device system data are interrogated to evaluate the lead(s), sensor(s), and battery in addition to review of stored information, including patient and system measurements. The device is programmed to settings appropriate for the surgery, procedure, or test, as required. A second evaluation and programming are performed after the surgery, procedure, or test to provide settings appropriate to the post procedural situation, as required. Each instance of either pre- or post-evaluation and programming services may be reported.

For CPT codes other than for remote monitoring, the Global CPT codes comprise the Professional and Technical Components. If both components of care are rendered, it is not necessary to append a modifier to the code. However, the remote monitoring codes are an example of a global service that requires two different CPT codes to be billed together as one code represents the Professional Service and another code represents the Technical Service (e.g., CPT 93294 & 93296, 93295 & 93296, 93297 & 93299, 93298 & 93299).

The Professional Component reflects physician time and intensity in furnishing the service, including activities before and after direct patient contact.4 When only the professional component is performed, modifier -26 should be added to the appropriate CPT code to identify the service. The -26 modifier would not be appended if the code represents only the professional services of the CPT code description (e.g., CPT 93294, 93295, 93297, 93298).

The Technical Component refers to the resources used in furnishing the service, such as office rent, wages of personnel, and other office practice expenses. When only the technical component is performed, the modifier -TC5 should be added to the appropriate CPT code to identify the service. The -TC modifier would not be appended if the code represents only the technical support and services component of the CPT code description (e.g., CPT 93296, 93299).

Physician Supervision Requirements
Medicare established specific diagnostic test supervision requirements applicable to the technical component of the electronic analysis of implanted cardiac devices.6 Medicare requires

General supervision of the technical service for remote pacemaker and ICD interrogations (codes 93296, 93299)
Direct supervision of the technical component for in-person cardiac device interrogations
Direct supervision for the technical component of a transtelephonic pacemaker evaluation.
NOTE: Medicare specifies direct supervision for the professional service of a remote pacemaker interrogation (CPT 93294). Please contact your Medicare contractor to seek clarification on the difference in supervision requirements between this code and other device evaluation professional services.

These supervision requirements are in addition to any other Medicare coverage requirements. The Medicare supervision requirements for individual CPT codes are available on the Physician Fee Schedule Lookup function on the Medicare web site7 or under ‘PFS Relative Value Files’ for 2009.8

General supervision9 means the procedure is furnished under the physician’s overall direction and control, but the physician’s presence is not required during the performance of the procedure. Under general supervision, the training of the nonphysician personnel who actually performs the diagnostic procedure and the maintenance of the necessary equipment and supplies are the continuing responsibility of the physician.

Direct supervision9 means the physician must be present in the office suite and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the performance of the procedure. It does not mean that the physician must be present in the room when the procedure is performed.

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has recently released a document which represents their consensus statement on the role of manufacturers’ representatives in the care of patients with heart rhythm disorders. This policy statement also contains HRS’ perspective on appropriate delivery of and billing for the technical component of services associated with cardiac devices.10 We encourage providers to seek confirmation or clarification from the payer about the policy statement.

These coding suggestions do not replace seeking coding advice from the payer and/or your own coding staff. The ultimate responsibility for correct coding lies with the provider of services. Please contact your local payer for interpretation of the appropriate codes to use for specific procedures. Medtronic makes no guarantee that the use of this information will prevent differences of opinion or disputes with Medicare or other third party payers as to the correct form of billing or the amount that will be paid to providers of service.

For questions or for more information, please contact Medtronic at 1 (866) 877-4102, option 1.

Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management (CRDM) reimbursement customer information is available at www.medtronic.com/crdmreimbursement.

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) copyright 2008 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government Use. Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not par of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PhysicianFeeSched/PFSFRN/list.asp#TopOfPage
www.medtronic.com/crdmreimbursement
Social Security Act Section 1848(c) (1) (A) and (B).
Section 410.32(b) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PhysicianFeeSched/PFSFRN/list.asp#TopOfPage, page 1159-1164
Medicare’s website is: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/pfslookup/02_PFSsearch.asp
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PhysicianFeeSched/PFSRVF/list.asp#TopOfPage
Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, CMS-Pub. 100-02, Chapter 15, §80. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Manuals/IOM/list.asp
Lindsay BD, Estes NA III, Maloney JD, Reynolds DW. Heart Rhythm Society Policy
Statement Update: Recommendations on the Role of Industry Employed Allied
Professionals (IEAPs). Heart Rhythm. November 2008;5(11):e8-10.