Gastroesophageal Reflux Monitoring: pH + Impedance Testing: CCI Edits Can Get You Out Of A Tight Spot

Time is a factor when choosing between 91037 and 91038.

When your physician's note suggests impedance and pH tests being performed together, you would look into the 9103x series of your CPT manual. Easy? Not quite. Take the following case in point.

Scenario: The motility specialist performs impedance + pH test for over an hour. The patient, who complains of frequent and painful heartburn, leaves the office with the catheter in place until the next day.

Dilemma: Can you bill 91038 by itself, or do you need to add 91034 at all?

The key is to understand what each code entails, but don't [...]

- Published on 2011-11-10