tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2019 Issue 4

You Be the Coder: Differentiate Cardioversion, Defibrillation

Question: Our ED physician used cardioversion/defibrillation on a patient in cardiac arrest. Which code describes this service? Supercoder Subscriber Answer: The answer depends on which service was performed, since cardioversion is not the same thing as defibrillation. During defibrillation, electric shock is used to restart or normalize heart rhythms. Cardioversion, on the other hand, is the conversion of one cardiac rhythm to another or electrical pattern, usually an abnormal one to normal. Once you’ve distinguished between cardioversions and defibrillation, then the coding comes easily. Take note: Defibrillation doesn’t have a specific CPT® code. If the...

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