EKG's...More Than Just Amusing

Our billing department does not have access to the MUSE application.  A statement such as "Please see MUSE for complete EKG interpretation" doesn't always get billed.  Reasons are multi-factorial.

For EKG billing, you must document 3 of 6 of the following elements:

1. Rhythm or rate
2. Axis
3. Intervals
4. Segments
5. Notation of comparison to prior EKG
6. Summary of clinical condition


I recommend making it easy on the coders.  Try not to bury the EKG interpretation in a long paragraph.  Use the EKG click box or separate it in your dictation.

You can bill for more than 1 EKG.  Clearly document each EKG interpretation.  From a medical legal viewpoint, it's always in your benefit to time your EKG reads.