When sick sinus syndrome is documented as well as a pacemaker, do you code the SSS or just the pacemaker. Thanks to anyone who can help. I code the pacemaker status as well, v4501 or v4509.
2018/2019 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z95.0. Presence of cardiac pacemaker. Z95.0 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
Historically, the advice of Coding Clinic, stemming back to 1993, was that once a pacemaker was placed for SSS, you only coded the pacemaker’s presence.
Also there are other references in Coding Clinic if you subscribe. Coding Clinic, Fifth Issue 1993, page 12, advised that when sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is controlled by a pacemaker, no code assignment is required if no attention or treatment is provided to the condition or the device.
ICD-10 code I49. 5 for Sick sinus syndrome is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the circulatory system .
Z95.0ICD-10 code Z95. 0 for Presence of cardiac pacemaker is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .
Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a disease in which the heart's natural pacemaker located in the upper right heart chamber (right atrium) becomes damaged and is no longer able to generate normal heartbeats at the normal rate.
3.
V45.01V45. 01 - Cardiac pacemaker in situ. ICD-10-CM.
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) looks similar to a pacemaker, though slightly larger. It works very much like a pacemaker. But the ICD can send an energy shock that resets an abnormal heartbeat back to normal. Many devices combine a pacemaker and ICD in one unit for people who need both functions.
Sick sinus syndrome is not a disease with a single etiology and pathogenesis but, rather, a collection of conditions in which the electrocardiogram (ECG) indicates sinus node dysfunction. Sick sinus syndrome is characterized by sinus node dysfunction with an atrial rate inappropriate for physiologic requirements.
Sick sinus syndrome is a type of heart rhythm disorder. It affects the heart's natural pacemaker (sinus node), which controls the heartbeat. Sick sinus syndrome causes slow heartbeats, pauses (long periods between heartbeats) or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).
427.81 - Sinoatrial node dysfunction. ICD-10-CM.
Be aware that this code include subcutaneous insertion of the pulse generator and transvenous placement of electrode/electrodes. Use CPT 33208 when the services involve insertion or replacement of a permanent pacemaker with transvenous electrodes in both the right atrium and right ventricle.
What is ventricular pacing? Ventricular pacing refers to the electrical stimulation provided to the ventricles of the heart by a pacemaker. It's intended to regulate the heart rate in individuals with abnormally slow heart rhythm.
The coding and billing guidelines only apply to those CPT codes for the initial insertion of cardiac pacemakers:33206 Insertion of new or replacement of permanent pacemaker with transvenous electrode(s); atrial.33207 ventricular.33208 atrial and ventricular.
33206The coding and billing guidelines only apply to those CPT codes for the initial insertion of cardiac pacemakers: 33206 Insertion of new or replacement of permanent pacemaker with transvenous electrode(s); atrial. 33207 ventricular.
93288The CPT® manual defines specific parameters that must be evaluated and documented during the programming encounter: In-person interrogation is reported with codes 93288 (pacemaker) and 93292 (ICD).
Note: Providers are reminded to refer to the long descriptors of the CPT codes in their CPT book....Group 1.CodeDescription93724Analyze pacemaker system17 more rows
Group 1CodeDescription33249INSERTION OR REPLACEMENT OF PERMANENT IMPLANTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR SYSTEM, WITH TRANSVENOUS LEAD(S), SINGLE OR DUAL CHAMBER33262REMOVAL OF IMPLANTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR PULSE GENERATOR WITH REPLACEMENT OF IMPLANTABLE DEFIBRILLATOR PULSE GENERATOR; SINGLE LEAD SYSTEM23 more rows
Z77-Z99 Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM Z95.0 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Pacemaker interrogation is a routine computer evaluation of pacemaker function to verify the device is programmed accurately and to assess the battery and lead function. Once a pacemaker is in place, SSS will not be coded.
SSS can only be coded as a current condition when documentation states it is a continuing and ongoing problem and medications are being used to control the signs and symptoms.
If a patient has AF with a slow ventricular response, a pacemaker is addressing the pauses or bradycardia, the resultant symptoms or the risk of a nine-second asystole – like my father had. It is not resolving or eradicating the atrial fibrillation. The AF is still present, underlying the paced rhythm. The bradycardia and pacemaker firing could also be only intermittent, like in my father’s situation. In his case, his post-discharge pacemaker check showed it was only operating 4 percent of the time. If the pacemaker were to malfunction or to be turned off, the observed rhythm would be AF in such a patient. They may even remain on anticoagulation or medication for rate control. AF is a valid diagnosis.
If a patient has an episode of sudden cardiac arrest from which they are resuscitated, and has an AICD implanted, they would carry a diagnosis of Z86.74, Personal history of sudden cardiac arrest and Z95.810, Presence of automatic cardiac defibrillator. They are not in a persistent state of cardiac arrest; it is historical.
Anticoagulation is often prescribed, because clots can form in the heart and be embolized to the brain, causing strokes. Pacemakers in atrial fibrillation are most commonly placed for symptomatic bradycardia, either medication-induced or due to aging, diseased heart muscle. It is less common to insert a pacemaker for overdrive atrial pacing.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac dysrhythmia, afflicting between 2 and 6 million people in the United States. Changes in the anatomy and electrophysiology of the smaller upper chambers of the heart, or atria, cause chaotic electrical impulses, which are unpredictably propagated to the lower chambers, or ventricles, ...
What if a patient undergoes a successful maze procedure for AF, reverts to normal sinus rhythm, and stays in sinus? That would be curative. You could capture personal history codes, but the patient no longer has a current cardiac condition.
If a patient has an arthritic right hip and undergoes a hip replacement, after the surgery, they no longer have that arthritic hip, M16.11; they have a replaced hip joint, Z96.641. They may still have osteoarthritis elsewhere, but the arthritic hip has been eliminated.
This advice was updated on page 33 of the edition issued for the first quarter of 2019, with the guidance that SSS is considered to still be present and is a legitimate, reportable chronic condition. The Coding Clinic includes “other significant heart rhythm abnormality” in its recommendations.
The pacemaker is routinely evaluated to ensure the device is programmed accurately as well as to assess battery and lead function. Pacemaker settings may be reprogrammed, if required. Interrogation of the device can be done in the inpatient setting or in the office setting.
A code is not assigned for sick sinus syndrome when it is being controlled by the pacemaker and no problems are detected during the check. Interrogation is a routine check, which is done via computer to assess pacemaker function.
I was recently told by my coding instructor that once a person has a pacemaker inserted, you NEVER code for SSS.