How To Use CPT Code 93610

CPT code 93610 describes the procedure of intra-atrial pacing, which involves the administration of electrical impulses to specific areas in the heart. This article will cover the description, official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 93610?

CPT 93610 can be used to describe the procedure of intra-atrial pacing, where a physician administers electrical impulses to specific areas in the heart to assess the reaction of different portions of the heart to these impulses. This procedure helps evaluate the conduction pathways and speed of electrical impulses in the heart. It is important to note that CPT 93610 is specifically used when the pacing is performed from the atrium.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 93610 is: ‘Pacing of the atrium, performed from the atrium.’

3. Procedure

1. The physician numbs and cleans an area on the arm, neck, or groin.
2. A small incision is made in a vein in the numbed and cleaned area.
3. A catheter with electrodes on the tip is inserted through the incision and advanced through the vein into the heart.
4. The physician visualizes the area using fluoroscopy, a live X-ray that appears on a monitor.
5. The catheter is attached to an electrical pacing device to transmit pacing impulses to the right atrium.
6. For left atrial pacing, additional positioning of the catheter in the coronary sinus is required.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 93610 is performed when a physician administers pacing impulses from the atrium to assess the conduction pathways and speed of electrical impulses in the heart. This procedure is typically performed by an electrophysiologist, a specialist qualified to conduct electrophysiology studies. It is important to note that CPT 93610 should not be reported in conjunction with CPT codes 93619, 93620, 93653, 93654, or 93656.

5. When to use CPT code 93610

CPT code 93610 should be used when a physician performs intra-atrial pacing, specifically pacing from the atrium. It is important to ensure that the documentation supports the use of this code and that it is not reported with other codes mentioned in the qualifying circumstances section.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 93610, the physician must document the following information:

• Procedure performed, specifically intra-atrial pacing from the atrium
• Location of the incision and insertion of the catheter
• Visualization of the area using fluoroscopy
• Details of the pacing impulses transmitted to the right atrium
• Additional positioning of the catheter in the coronary sinus if left atrial pacing is performed

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 93610, ensure that the procedure is performed by a qualified physician and that the pacing is specifically from the atrium. It is important to note that CPT 93610 should not be reported in conjunction with CPT codes 93619, 93620, 93653, 93654, or 93656. Review the documentation carefully to determine the appropriate code to report.

8. Historical information

CPT 93610 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Examples

1. A physician performing intra-atrial pacing from the atrium to assess the conduction pathways in a patient with arrhythmia.
2. An electrophysiologist administering pacing impulses from the atrium to evaluate the speed of conducted impulses in a patient with irregular heartbeat.
3. A cardiologist performing intra-atrial pacing to assess the reaction of different portions of the heart to electrical impulses in a patient with atrial fibrillation.
4. A physician conducting pacing from the atrium to determine the appropriate locations for the placement of a pacemaker in a patient with heart block.
5. An electrophysiologist administering pacing impulses from the atrium to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-arrhythmic medications in a patient with ventricular tachycardia.
6. A cardiologist performing intra-atrial pacing to assess the conduction pathways in a patient with congenital heart disease.
7. A physician conducting pacing from the atrium to evaluate the response of the heart to electrical impulses in a patient with syncope.
8. An electrophysiologist administering pacing impulses from the atrium to assess the effectiveness of ablation therapy in a patient with supraventricular tachycardia.
9. A cardiologist performing intra-atrial pacing to evaluate the conduction pathways in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
10. A physician conducting pacing from the atrium to assess the reaction of different portions of the heart to electrical impulses in a patient with cardiomyopathy.