Cardiovascular Device Monitoring Changes for Implantable and Wearable Devices (February 2009)

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand how the cardiovascular device monitoring code family was reorganized and why the updated CPT language matters for accurate reporting of device-related services. It also highlights the broader distinction between implantable and wearable device monitoring and the way CPT grouped related services by device type and service modality.

Article Sections

1. February 2009 pages 3-12

   Publication information and the article’s placement within CPT Assistant. This section identifies the issue and page range for the discussion that follows.

2. Coding Communication: Cardiovascular Device Monitoring Changes for Implantable and Wearable Devices

   Introduces the scope of the CPT update and summarizes the major categories of cardiovascular device monitoring discussed in the article. It frames the transition to revised terminology and service categories.

3. Definitions

   Provides introductory definitions and device-related terminology used throughout the updated code family. This section establishes the broad concepts needed to understand the monitoring services described later.

4. Key changes are discussed below.

   Summarizes the major structural changes to the cardiovascular device monitoring code family. This section outlines how the updated code set is organized by device type and service category.

5. Programming Device Evaluations In-Person: Codes 93279-93285

   Explains the in-person programming evaluation category and how the code family is organized by device type. It also describes the general framework for selecting among the programming evaluation options.

6. Step One

   Describes the first level of code selection for in-person programming evaluations. This section focuses on identifying the type of device involved.

7. Step Two

   Describes the second level of review for in-person programming evaluations. This section distinguishes programming evaluations from interrogation evaluations and explains how the service categories differ in structure.

8. Periprocedural Device Evaluations: Codes 93286-93287

   Covers the periprocedural device evaluation and programming category for services performed around unrelated procedures. It explains how the article distinguishes the pacemaker and ICD options within this service family.

9. Interrogation Device Evaluations-In-Person: Codes 93288-93292

   Discusses in-person interrogation services and how they are organized by device type. This section also introduces the contrast between in-person and remote interrogation reporting.

10. Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Telephone and Remote Evaluation Services: Codes Pacemaker PM (Pacemaker) 93293-93296

    Introduces telephonic and remote evaluation services for pacemaker and ICD-related monitoring. This section explains the move toward remote follow-up and the addition of technical and physician components.

11. Transtelephonic Services: Code 93293

    Focuses on the telephonic pacemaker evaluation service and the revised reporting structure for that category. The discussion stays at a high level within the broader remote monitoring framework.

12. Remote Interrogation Services for Pacemakers PM Pacemaker and ICDs: Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators: Codes 93294-93296

    Covers remote interrogation services for pacemakers and ICDs and the associated physician and technical components. It also situates these services within the 90-day remote monitoring structure described in the article.

13. Remote Interrogation Services for Implantable Cardiovascular Monitoring Systems and Implantable Loop Recorders: Codes 93297-93299

    Discusses remote interrogation services for implantable cardiovascular monitors and implantable loop recorders. This section addresses the newer monitoring categories and the associated technical reporting framework.

14. CPT Code Descriptors

    Presents the code descriptors and related parenthetical guidance for the cardiovascular device monitoring family. This section serves as a consolidated reference for the codes discussed in the article.