CPT^®/Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System

• NCCI Implemented Edits for Ablation in Error (01/11/10) — The Society has been informed that NCCI edits for ablation procedures were posted in error by CMS and will be deleted in the next version, with deletion retroactive to the January 1, 2010 implementation date of the edits. CMS has instructed physicians to delay submission of their claims for certain code combinations until Version 16.1 is implemented on April 1, 2010. Learn more »
• Critical NCCI Code Edits (01/08/10) — National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits (Version 16.0 effective January 1, 2010) for ablation procedures that are in direct contradiction to CPT guidelines may require Society members who bill Medicare to adjust their practice patterns until this matter is resolved. The Heart Rhythm Society will vigorously challenge NCCI and the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services on this issue and will continue to advocate our position on appropriate coding for ablation procedures. Learn more »
• Proposed Catheter Ablation Code Edits Withdrawn (06/24/09) — The Heart Rhythm Society continually strives to ensure appropriate coverage and reimbursement for heart rhythm procedures and services by working with CMS. The Society's expertise and comments staved off a proposal to bundle the ablation family of CPT codes with codes for recording, pacing and electrophysiology study and to change the modifier indicator status from “1” to “0” on existing edits. Learn more »
• Recordings of the Society’s New Cardiac Device Monitoring Codes for 2009 webinar are now available for purchase. (02/18/09) The CD-ROM contains the synched audio-visual recording and the online multimedia recording allows you to watch the synched audio and slides online. Handouts are available as PDF files with either format. Users have two purchase options: the CD-ROM and online multimedia recordings or the recordings plus the Coding Guide for Heart Rhythm Procedures and Services, 2009 at a special discounted rate. Learn more and order today!
• November 4, 2008: The Heart Rhythm Society invites you to join us for for a review of the new cardiac device monitoring CPT® changes as you prepare for the upcoming year. As the leading coding resource for heart rhythm procedures and services, the Society will present a series of webinars, with live Q&A sessions, that will provide instruction and guidance on how to interpret the new code descriptors for accurate reporting to health insurance programs. Learn more about the New Cardiac Device Monitoring Codes for 2009 webinar »
• AMA and ACC to Conduct Physician Practice Information Survey (01/05/2007) —The American Medical Association (AMA) with the support of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and more than 60 other medical specialty societies will begin conducting a multi-specialty survey of America’s physician practices beginning in 2007. Learn more »
• Use of 93741 or 93743 For Remote Monitoring of ICDs (02/01/2006) — The AMA's CPT Editorial Panel recommends use of existing CPT codes 93741 or 93743 to report remote interrogation of ICDs. Learn more »
• New National Correct Coding Initiative Contractor (02/02/2006) — CMS’ National Correct Coding Initiative has been appointed to Correct Coding Solutions, LLC. Learn more »

Physician Supervision

• CMS Refused the Society's Recommendations regarding the Physician Supervision (06/28/2007) — The Heart Rhythm Society urges Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reassess the physician supervision requirement for several non-invasive heart rhythm CPT codes. Learn more »

ICD-9 / ICD-10

2009

ICD-10 Transition Update  (09/30/2009) — The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee recently held a meeting to discuss the future of the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision System Clinical Modification (CM) and Procedure Coding System (PCS) Conversion Project (ICD-10-CM/PCS). The ICD-10-CM/PCS has been developed as a replacement for Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision (ICD-9-CM). Among the topics discussed at the meeting were the ICD-10-CM/PCS MS-DRG conversion project, freezing ICD-9-CM code updates, and General Equivalence Mappings (GEMS). Learn more »

HHS Releases ICD-10 and 5010 Final Rules (01/21/2009) —The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released two eagerly-awaited final rules which will facilitate adoption of the ICD-10 code sets and the next generation of standards for HIPAA electronic transactions (Version 5010). These rules also extend compliance dates. Learn more »

2008

Society Comments on Proposed Implementation of ICD-10 and 5010 — On October 21, 2008, the Heart Rhythm Society submitted comments expressing its concerns to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the proposed rules that will mandate implementation of ICD-10 and the next generation of HIPAA transactions (ASC X12, Version 5010). The Society’s comments focused on the impact the accelerated ICD-10 implementation timeline and urged HHS to reconsider the accelerated deadline and adopt a workable timeframe for implementation of ICD-10 that will not disrupt provider workflow and business processes. Learn more »

HHS Announces Proposed Rules Implementing Transition to ICD-10 Code Sets and Updated Electronic Transaction Standards (08/20/2008) — On August 15, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a proposed regulation that would convert the current ICD-9-CM code sets to the expanded ICD-10 code system, effective October 1, 2011. In a separate proposed regulation, HHS also proposed to update the current version of the HIPPA electronic transaction standards. Learn more »

Heart Rhythm Society Expresses Concerns About the Rapid Implementation of the ICD-10 (07/24/2008) — The Heart Rhythm Society signs on to a follow-up letter to Jim Nussle, the Office of Management and Budget's Director, expressing our concerns about the rapid implementation of ICD-10-CM. View the letter (PDF, 70K).

Heart Rhythm Society Supports Reasonable Timeframe for Transition to ICD-10-CM (04/01/2008) — The Heart Rhythm Society signs on to a follow-up letter to Michael O. Leavitt, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, in support of a reasonable timeframe for transition to ICD-10-CM. View the letter (PDF, 70K).

2007

Heart Rhythm Society Supports Reasonable Timeframe for Transition to ICD-10-CM (06/29/2007) — The Heart Rhythm Society signs on to a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Michael O. Leavitt , in support of a reasonable timeframe for transition to ICD-10-CM. Learn more »

2007 Medicare Physician Payments (01/12/2007) — On December 1, 2006, CMS published the final rule for the 2007 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which takes effect January 1, 2007. Learn more »

2006

Heart Rhythm Society Supports Reasonable Timeframe for Transition to ICD-10-CM (09/19/2006) — The Heart Rhythm Society signs on to a letter to Sen. Bill Frist, Majority Leader in the Senate in support of a reasonable timeframe for transition to ICD-10-CM. View the letter (PDF, 72K).

CMS Sets Policy for ICD and Pacemaker Remote Monitoring (09/19/2006) — On June 9, 2006: CMS published a transmittal stating that physicians should use (and carriers should pay for) existing CPT codes 93731, 93734, 93741 and 93743 (the in-office pacemaker and ICD interrogation codes) for remote monitoring of cardiac devices. Learn more »

Heart Rhythm Society Signs On to Physician Practice Expense Letter (03/25/2006) — The Heart Rhythm Society sign on a letter to CMS expressing concern about the proposed revisions and recommends that CMS delay implementation of any changes in the methodology until 2008 regarding the physician practice expense. Learn more »

2005

ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting (10/13/2005) — The ICD-9 CM Committee discussed EP study (EPS) during their 2005 meeting. There is considerable coding confusion with regard to the various clinical cardiac EPS and their relationship with cardiac devices. The Society is working in conjunction with other medical societies to encouraged CMS to recommend a change to this coding structure. Learn more »

Additional Reimbursement for Use of Smoking Cessation Counseling Services (06/05/2005) — If you provide cessation counseling services to cardiac patients that smoke or use tobacco, you may be entitled to additional reimbursement from Medicare. Learn more »

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