How To Use CPT Code 3021F

CPT 3021F describes the measurement and documentation of a patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or the presence of moderately or severely depressed left ventricular systolic function. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples.

1. What is CPT Code 3021F?

CPT 3021F can be used to report the measurement and documentation of a patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or the presence of moderately or severely depressed left ventricular systolic function. This code is used when a provider determines that the patient’s LVEF is less than 40 percent or when the patient’s left ventricular systolic function is moderately or severely depressed.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 3021F is: ‘Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 40% or documentation of moderately or severely depressed left ventricular systolic function (CAD, HF).’

3. Procedure

1. The provider assesses the patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction or left ventricular systolic function.
2. The provider may use an echocardiogram, a type of ultrasound test, to measure the patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction or left ventricular systolic function.
3. The provider documents in the patient’s medical record whether the patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction is less than 40 percent or whether the patient has moderately or severely depressed left ventricular systolic function.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible for CPT 3021F are those with a left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40 percent or those with moderately or severely depressed left ventricular systolic function. These conditions may be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart failure (HF). The provider typically determines the patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction or left ventricular systolic function using an echocardiogram.

5. When to use CPT code 3021F

CPT code 3021F should be used when the provider measures and documents a patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40 percent or the presence of moderately or severely depressed left ventricular systolic function. This code is appropriate for patients with coronary artery disease or heart failure. It should not be used for other conditions or when the left ventricular ejection fraction is greater than or equal to 40 percent.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT code 3021F, the provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis of coronary artery disease or heart failure
• Measurement of the patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction or documentation of moderately or severely depressed left ventricular systolic function
• Date of the measurement or documentation

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 3021F, ensure that the provider has measured and documented the patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40 percent or the presence of moderately or severely depressed left ventricular systolic function. This code should not be reported with other codes unless appropriate and supported by the documentation. It is important to follow the specific guidelines provided by the payer when reporting CPT code 3021F.

8. Historical information

CPT code 3021F was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2007. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A cardiologist measures a patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction and documents it as 35 percent.
2. A primary care physician determines that a patient has moderately depressed left ventricular systolic function based on an echocardiogram report.
3. A cardiac nurse documents a patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction as 38 percent during a routine check-up.
4. An interventional cardiologist diagnoses a patient with coronary artery disease and documents severely depressed left ventricular systolic function.
5. A cardiovascular surgeon measures a patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction as 25 percent prior to surgery.
6. A family medicine physician documents moderately depressed left ventricular systolic function in a patient’s medical record based on a recent echocardiogram.
7. An emergency medicine physician measures a patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction as 30 percent during an acute cardiac event.
8. A geriatrician diagnoses a patient with heart failure and documents moderately depressed left ventricular systolic function.
9. A cardiac electrophysiologist measures a patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction as 37 percent during a follow-up visit.
10. A cardiovascular researcher documents moderately depressed left ventricular systolic function in a patient’s medical record as part of a clinical study.