How To Use CPT Code 92961

CPT 92961 describes the procedure of elective cardioversion, which involves the electrical conversion of arrhythmia in a patient. This article will cover the description, official details, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 92961?

CPT 92961 is used to describe the procedure of elective cardioversion, which aims to restore the normal heart rate and rhythm in patients with arrhythmia. This is achieved by delivering an electrical shock and administering intravenous drugs. The code is specifically used for internal cardioversion, which is a separate procedure from other related codes.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 92961 is: ‘Cardioversion, elective, electrical conversion of arrhythmia; internal (separate procedure).’ It is important to note that CPT 92961 should not be reported in conjunction with certain other codes, as specified in the notes.

3. Procedure

1. During the procedure, the patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized, and positioned in the supine position with the chest exposed.
2. The provider attaches heart monitoring nodes to the patient’s chest to monitor the heart rate and rhythm.
3. An intravenous cannula is inserted into the patient’s arm to administer drugs, such as procainamide, which helps return the heart rate and rhythm to normal.
4. The provider delivers an electrical shock to the patient, aiming to restore the normal heart rate and rhythm.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 92961 is performed on patients with arrhythmia, a disorder characterized by an abnormal rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. The procedure is elective and is used to convert the abnormal heart rate or rhythm to normal using electric shock or drugs. It is important to note that CPT 92961 should not be reported in conjunction with certain other codes, as specified in the notes.

5. When to use CPT code 92961

CPT code 92961 should be used when the provider performs internal cardioversion using electric shock to convert the abnormal heart rate or rhythm to normal. It is important to follow the guidelines and not report CPT 92961 in conjunction with the specified codes.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 92961, the provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis of arrhythmia
• Details of the procedure, including the use of electrical shock and administration of intravenous drugs
• Date and duration of the procedure
• Baseline cardiac output rates before the procedure
• Progress made in restoring the normal heart rate and rhythm
• Signature of the provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 92961, ensure that the procedure is performed as internal cardioversion using electric shock. It is important to follow the guidelines and not report CPT 92961 in conjunction with the specified codes. Consider the location of the testing when coding for cardioversion procedures.

8. Historical information

CPT 92961 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2000. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A patient with arrhythmia undergoes internal cardioversion using electric shock to restore the normal heart rate and rhythm.
2. During the procedure, the provider administers intravenous drugs, such as procainamide, to return the heart rate and rhythm to normal.
3. Elective cardioversion is performed on a patient with arrhythmia, using electrical shock and intravenous drugs.
4. A provider delivers an electrical shock to a patient with arrhythmia, aiming to restore the normal heart rate and rhythm.
5. Internal cardioversion is performed on a patient with arrhythmia, separate from other related procedures.
6. A patient undergoes elective cardioversion to convert the abnormal heart rate and rhythm to normal using electric shock.
7. During the procedure, heart monitoring nodes are attached to the patient’s chest to monitor the heart rate and rhythm.
8. An intravenous cannula is inserted to administer drugs, such as procainamide, during the internal cardioversion procedure.
9. The provider successfully restores the normal heart rate and rhythm of a patient with arrhythmia using internal cardioversion.
10. Elective cardioversion is performed on a patient with arrhythmia, separate from other therapeutic cardiovascular services and procedures.