Anesthesiologist / Hot Coding Topics / modifier 52 / modifier 53 / modifier 73 / modifier 74 / Pain Management

Employ Modifier 53 For Discontinued Anesthesia Services

Pain management specialties might make use of modifier 52 as well.

The situation is bound to happen: A patient undergoing surgery has complications, and your anesthesiologist must stop his services. Are you prepared to recognize a situation that calls for...

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May 9, 2010
CPT 2010 / Pain Management / Toolkit

CPT 2010 Code Selection Chart for Paravertebral Facet Joint Injections

CPT 2010 introduces a slew of new codes for paravertebral facet injections, so why not consult our handy flow chart to help you select the correct code? © Neurology Coding Alert. To read the full article on the new facet joint injection codes for 2010, download your 2 FREE sample issues here. Was it painful for you to [...] Related articles:

  1. Pain Management Coding Update: Facet Joint Injection CPT Changes for 2010Pain management, anesthesia, orthopedic, physiatry & neurology coders get ready...
  2. Facet Joint Injection Coding for 2010Marvel Hammer’s Quick Start Guide to changes you’ll face in...
  3. Save Time Coding Facet Injections With This Coding Tool Hint: Location, number and substance are key. Several factors...

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December 10, 2009
HCPCS / Pain Management / Provider News

Check New HCPCS Codes to Keep Pain Management Claims on Track

Catch the changes to botulinum toxin and neurostimulator electrode codes. As a pain management coder, you’re facing new CPT codes for posterior intrafacet implants, paravertebral facet joint injections, and sacroplasty. While preparing to implement these additions, don’t overlook HCPCS changes for botulinum toxin injections and implantable neurostimulator electrodes. Pay Attention to Botox Units A new code for botulinum [...] Related articles:

  1. Botox Wastage: How Do I Code It Correctly? Question: My pain management physician treated a patient’s migraine...
  2. HCPCS 2010: CMS Debuts New J CodesSynvisc, penicillin get new codes — along with injectibles for neurology,...
  3. Pain Management Coding: TPI Do’s and Don’ts for Pay You Can KeepSample ICD-9 codes to support medical necessity for trigger point...

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December 8, 2009
CPT 2010 / Hot Coding Topics / Pain Management

Facet Joint Injection Coding for 2010

Marvel Hammer’s Quick Start Guide to changes you’ll face in 2010. Tons of pain management coders gathered at the Orlando conference this week, and everyone was abuzz about the coding changes the painful reimbursement cuts their practices are going to get next year. Some big news: Effective January 1, 2010 radiological imaging will be required and bundled [...] Related articles:

  1. MAC Auditors Will Stick It To Facet Joint Injection Claims We hook you up with CMS instructions for when...
  2. Pain Management Coding Update: Facet Joint Injection CPT Changes for 2010Pain management, anesthesia, orthopedic, physiatry & neurology coders get ready...
  3. Audit Hot Spot: Facet Joint Injection ClaimsHere’s why the OIG wants to stick it to facet...

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December 8, 2009
Pain Management / Toolkit

Pain Management Coding: TPI Do’s and Don’ts for Pay You Can Keep

Sample ICD-9 codes to support medical necessity for trigger point injections. Counting the right items, knowing insurer-allowed diagnoses, and documenting affected muscles will get your trigger point injection (TPI) claims paid while protecting you from paybacks. Further, knowing each insurers’ covered diagnoses for TPIs is vital to healthy coding. √ Do Count Muscles Injected Coders should report 20552 (Injection[s]; single [...] Related articles:

  1. Trigger Point Injection Coding: Count Targets, Not Shots Become the top TPI gun in your coding department...
  2. Dx Coding Moves That Stop Denials for Chronic Pain ClaimsTip: Code prior conditions in these cases. Imagine your pain...
  3. Pain Management Coding Update: Facet Joint Injection CPT Changes for 2010Pain management, anesthesia, orthopedic, physiatry & neurology coders get ready...

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December 2, 2009
Coding Challenge / Pain Management

How Do I Code an Epidural Blood Patch on Same Day as L&D

Don’t forget to double-check these 2 things to find the correct code. Question: How do I code an epidural blood patch procedure on the same day as labor and delivery? Should I include a modifier? Answer: Administering a blood patch on the same day as labor and delivery is unusual because most physicians try to manage spinal [...] Related articles:

  1. 64450 or 64421: Which Code to Tap for TAP Block?Question: What exactly is a “tap block,” and what code...
  2. How Do I Code Blood Draw Plus E/M?Question: An established type II diabetic patient comes in for...
  3. Will S Code Pay Off for Cord Blood Collection?Question: My ob-gyn did cord blood collection. I have these...

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December 2, 2009
Coding Challenge / Pain Management

Pain Management Coding: Endoscopic Lumbar Nerve Decompression

Hint: Think ‘unlisted procedure.’ Question: One of our physicians is looking into “endoscopic lumbar spinal nerve decompression.” One of the medical device representatives indicated he could bill it like the lateral extraforaminal approach for lumbar decompression, but I haven’t found much information. What’s your advice? Answer: Despite what you physician might have heard, your most appropriate choice [...] Related articles:

  1. Spinal Surgery Coding Challenge: Is Hemilaminectomy Bundled With Fusion?Question: Our orthopedic surgeon turned in a note that says,...
  2. Pain Management Coding Update: Facet Joint Injection CPT Changes for 2010Pain management, anesthesia, orthopedic, physiatry & neurology coders get ready...
  3. Anesthesia & Pain Management Denials: Sweep Them Away Now ‘Good Housekeeping’ tips that reduce denials. Tip 1: Beware...

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November 14, 2009
Anesthesia / Hot Coding Topics / ICD-10 / Pain Management

Pain Management Coding Update: Facet Joint Injection CPT Changes for 2010

Pain management, anesthesia, orthopedic, physiatry & neurology coders get ready for a facet joint codes shift that preps for ICD-10. The 2010 version of CPT attempts to organize the facet joint injection codes by deleting 64470-64476 and debuting 64490- 64495 in their place, as follows: • 64490 — Injection(s), diagnostic or therapeutic agent, paravertebral facet (zygapophyseal) joint (or nerves [...] Related articles:

  1. MAC Auditors Will Stick It To Facet Joint Injection Claims We hook you up with CMS instructions for when...
  2. Audit Hot Spot: Facet Joint Injection ClaimsHere’s why the OIG wants to stick it to facet...
  3. Save Time Coding Facet Injections With This Coding Tool Hint: Location, number and substance are key. Several factors...

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October 28, 2009