CMS / Hot Coding Topics / modifier PA / modifier PB / modifier PC / modifier TC / Modifiers / surgery

Surgical Modifiers: Protect Yourself From Instant ‘PC’ Claim Denials

Don’t let ‘wrong surgery’ modifier mistakes stall your reimbursement.

You use modifier TC for the technical component of a test. So logically, you should use modifier PC for the professional component, right? Wrong. But many coders are making that mistake...

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March 18, 2010
E/M / Provider News

CMS Speaks: Weigh Your 2-Payer Consult Coding Options

In MSP cases, non-consult code for both payers may be best.

If you have payers who didn’t play follow-the-leader with Medicare in cutting out consult codes, you have a dilemma on your hands. You have to decide what to do...

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March 18, 2010
CMS / E/M / Medicare / modifier 25 / Oig / Toolkit

Use This Sample Appeal Letter As Ammo in Your Fight Against Modifier 25 Denials

Attach your procedure notes and the OIG’s report to pack extra punch.

Even if you follow all of CMS’s rules in reporting modifier 25 (Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the…

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March 12, 2010
Coding Challenge / ICD-10 / ICD-9

Ob-gyn Coding Challenge: Deliver Postpartum V Codes With Care

Bonus: Get exposure to ICD-10 coding equivalents.

Question: A mentally-challenged patient who delivered at home was admitted to the hospital for postpartum care. The patient delivered the placenta at home, and once admitted, she had no complications, but the ob-gyn…

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March 10, 2010
Coder's Cranium / modifier 25 / modifier 76

Breathe New Life Into Your Asthma Coding Claims

Focus on form and drug to pinpoint the correct asthma supply code.

Are you clear on how to report asthma procedures and inhalers? Follow this advice, and you’ll breathe easy when it comes to asthma related claims.

Propellant-Driven Inhaler Falls…

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March 10, 2010
Coding Challenge / E/M / modifier 25 / mumps

Ensure Multi-Vaccine Payment With This Coding Advice

You may need to append modifier 25, depending on payer policies.

Question: Our physician billed 90634, 90710, and 90606 for vaccines given to a 5-year-old patient. The insurance company denied payment and said they required a modifier. What should we…

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March 9, 2010
Provider News

CMS Publishes Q&As Regarding Services Previously Billed As Consults

Medicare’s elimination of payment for consultation services has caused mass confusion throughout the coding community, not just due to the changes it has caused in your billing procedures, but also due to lack of information from CMS.

In an apparent…

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March 8, 2010
Coding Challenge / E/M

EM Coding: Should I Select 99211 for Most Med Checks?

Insurers might want to see a clear explanation as to why the E/M was necessary.

Question: An established patient with a plan of care in place for her gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reports to the gastroenterologist; two weeks ago, the…

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March 6, 2010
Coding Challenge / E/M / modifier 25

E/M Coding: Use Current Diagnosis to Support E/M Visit

Don’t forget to include the code for the arthrocentesis.

Question: A new patient sees the orthopedist because of shoulder problems. The physician schedules an MRI and the patient returns the following week to discuss the findings. The physician had already…

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March 4, 2010