E/M / Hot Coding Topics / modifier 26

ED Coding Education: FAST Exams

Watch It: If you fly through FAST exam coding, you could miss vital info When your physician performs a FAST (focused assessment by sonography for trauma) examination, be sure to go through the notes slowly or you could miss one of the three common codes. FAST exam patients are almost always in some physical trauma, which requires [...] Related articles:

  1. Coding for OB Ultrasounds and Annual ExamsCoding for OB Ultrasounds Are you confused about ultrasound coding?...
  2. Radiology Coding Education: Is 76705 OK for Back?Question: For a lower back ultrasound of a soft tissue...
  3. Pediatric PE Coding: Look Out for These Documentation Misses Here’s why oral thrush could be a major issue....

Comments Off on ED Coding Education: FAST Exams
December 2, 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...

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

Comments Off on How Do I Code an Epidural Blood Patch on Same Day as L&D
December 2, 2009