Ask Dr. Z

For this case we are not sure how much needs to be documented to code for interrogation of pacemaker and what code would be best with this documentation. "Right femoral region was prepped and draped. See cardiac cath log sheet for sedation. The patient's device was interrogated and programmed to a lower rate of 30 BPM. An 8 French sheath was placed in the right femoral vein using modified Seldinger technique. Radiofrequency energy was applied to the AV node with an 8 mm tip ablation cath, resulting in complete heart block. Sheath was removed, and the device was then programmed to a lower rate of 80 BPM." I am thinking of code 93650, but I'm not sure what to code for interrogation of pacemaker. Is there enough documentation to report codes 93286 and 93286-59? Or is code 93288 or 93279 best? We are confused on when to use the interrogation device codes and what is supposed to be documented for each code. Can the cardiology nurses report code 93279 the day after a pacemaker is put in?