How To Use CPT Code 93017

CPT 93017 refers to the cardiovascular stress test using maximal or submaximal treadmill or bicycle exercise, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, and/or pharmacological stress; tracing only, without interpretation and report. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, when to use the code, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 93017 procedures.

1. What is CPT 93017?

CPT 93017 is a medical code used to describe a cardiovascular stress test that involves the use of maximal or submaximal treadmill or bicycle exercise, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, and/or pharmacological stress. This code specifically refers to the tracing component of the test, without interpretation and report. It is essential for medical coders and billers to understand the proper usage and documentation requirements for this code to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement.

2. 93017 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 93017 is: “Cardiovascular stress test using maximal or submaximal treadmill or bicycle exercise, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, and/or pharmacological stress; tracing only, without interpretation and report.”

3. Procedure

  1. The patient is prepared for the cardiovascular stress test, which may involve exercise or pharmacological stress.
  2. Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring is initiated to record the electrical activity of the heart during the test.
  3. The patient undergoes maximal or submaximal treadmill or bicycle exercise, or pharmacological stress is administered to increase the heart rate.
  4. Blood pressure readings and electrocardiograph tracings are obtained at regular intervals throughout the test.
  5. The test is completed, and the tracings are recorded without interpretation and report.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 93017 services are those who require a cardiovascular stress test to evaluate their heart function under stress conditions. This may include individuals with suspected or known heart disease, those experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, or patients undergoing preoperative evaluation for non-cardiac surgery. The test may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of cardiac treatments or medications.

5. When to use CPT code 93017

It is appropriate to bill the 93017 CPT code when the cardiovascular stress test is performed using maximal or submaximal treadmill or bicycle exercise, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, and/or pharmacological stress, and the service provided includes tracing only, without interpretation and report. This code should not be used if the provider is also responsible for interpreting the data and providing a report on the findings.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 93017, the following information should be documented in the patient’s medical record:

  • Indication for the cardiovascular stress test
  • Type of stress test performed (exercise or pharmacological)
  • Method of exercise (treadmill or bicycle)
  • Duration of the test
  • Electrocardiographic tracings obtained during the test
  • Blood pressure readings taken at regular intervals
  • Any adverse events or complications experienced during the test

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 93017, it is important to remember that this code represents the technical component of the service only. Modifier 26 (Professional component) or TC (Technical component) should not be appended to this code. If the provider is responsible for the supervision, interpretation, and report of the test, CPT code 93015 should be used instead. Additionally, CPT codes 93016 and 93018 can be used to report the professional component only.

8. Historical information

CPT 93017 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 93017

Five similar codes to CPT 93017 and how they differ are:

  • CPT 93015: Includes supervision, interpretation, and report in addition to the tracing component.
  • CPT 93016: Represents the supervision component only, without interpretation and report.
  • CPT 93018: Represents the interpretation and report component only, without supervision.
  • CPT 93350: Refers to an echocardiography stress test, which uses ultrasound imaging to evaluate heart function.
  • CPT 78452: Involves a myocardial perfusion imaging study, which assesses blood flow to the heart muscle.

10. Examples

  1. A patient with a history of chest pain undergoes a treadmill exercise stress test to evaluate for coronary artery disease. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.
  2. A patient with known heart disease has a bicycle exercise stress test to monitor the effectiveness of their cardiac medications. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.
  3. A patient experiencing shortness of breath undergoes a pharmacological stress test to assess for possible heart-related causes. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.
  4. A patient scheduled for non-cardiac surgery has a treadmill exercise stress test as part of their preoperative evaluation. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.
  5. A patient with a family history of heart disease undergoes a bicycle exercise stress test as part of a routine cardiac screening. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.
  6. A patient with a history of abnormal electrocardiogram results has a pharmacological stress test to further evaluate their heart function. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.
  7. A patient with suspected angina undergoes a treadmill exercise stress test to determine the cause of their chest pain. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.
  8. A patient with a history of heart failure has a bicycle exercise stress test to assess their exercise tolerance and response to treatment. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.
  9. A patient with a history of arrhythmias undergoes a pharmacological stress test to evaluate the electrical activity of their heart under stress conditions. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.
  10. A patient with a history of syncope has a treadmill exercise stress test to determine if their episodes are related to a cardiac cause. CPT 93017 is billed for the tracing component of the test.

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