Cardiology / Hot Coding Topics

CPT 2010: Add New AV Shunt Codes to Your Toolbox

Initial vs. additional access matters in 2010. Love them or hate them, the trend toward guidance-inclusive codes doesn’t seem to be slowing. Case in point: CPT 2010 ousts 36145 (Introduction of needle or intracatheter; arteriovenous shunt created for dialysis [cannula, fistula, or graft]) and 75790 (Angiography, arteriovenous shunt [e.g., dialysis patient], radiological supervision and interpretation) and instead [...] Related articles:

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  3. Where Anesthesia Coders Go Wrong With CS Cath Placement   Your doc needs to do this to get...

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December 13, 2009
Coder's Cranium / CPT 2010

The ASC Coder’s Resource Guide for 2010

Here’s a quick, handy way to get to all of Medicare’s new rules and reimbursement rates Ambulatory surgery center coders have a lot to learn for 2010, stressed Joanne Schade-Boyce at the ASC 2010 Coding & Reimbursement Update in Orlando. It’s absolutely essential that ASC coders study the AMA’s CPT Changes this year, Schade-Boyce recommended. Why? [...] Related articles:

  1. Coder’s Anatomy: ‘Dorsal’Da Dum. Da Dum. DaDumDaDumDaDum. If you can’t always remember...
  2. A Coder’s Guide to Health Care ReformQuick way to show your practice you’re prepared for the...
  3. Op Note Decoder Ring: Red Flags for Multiple ProceduresNever rely on an op note’s “procedure performed” line for...

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December 12, 2009
Coding Challenge

Coding Keloid Scar Removal

Watch out: Avoid this unlisted code. Question: Is removal of a keloid scar considered an unlisted procedure? What is the right code? Answer: Use 17110 (Destruction [e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement], of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular lesions; up to 14 lesions) with diagnosis 701.4 (Keloid scar). 17110 and 7111 [...] Related articles:

  1. Check Destruction Method Before Assuming 17110You could gain $30 if a shave is also performed....
  2. Surgical Coding: Scar Revision on Previous Mastectomy SiteTip: Find mastectomy scar revision in wound repair Question: Our...
  3. Lesion Destruction Coding: Match Dx & Procedure Codes Like a Pro Tip: All ‘Verruca’ codes fall under one CPT code,...

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December 11, 2009
Hot Coding Topics

Podiatry Coding Clinic: G0245 and G0246

Here’s when you may need to get an ABN Medicare policies covering routine foot care for diabetic patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy with loss of protective sensation (LOPS) have been in force since 2002. Yet many still find the related G codes confusing. Today, let’s nail down the what documentation should be in the podiatrist’s note [...] Related articles:

  1. Podiatry Coding Education: 28293 For Joint Replacement for Hallux LimitusQuestion: Our podiatrist performed a joint replacement for hallux limitus and...
  2. Charcot Foot Coding: When To Boot 250.00 Boot 250.00 for Charcot Foot, Embrace Dual Dxs Stop...
  3. Diabetes Coding Blunders That Cause Denials Do you know the 5 fourth digits for 250.xx...

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December 10, 2009
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:

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  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
Coding Challenge / modifier 77

Pain Management: 2 Providers, 2 Postop Pain Injections

Double 76942 OK for second provider? Question: Two providers from the same physician group performed two separate postoperative pain injections on the same patient, on the same day. Each provider used ultrasonic guidance during the procedure, but I’ve been told to report 76942 only once per day. How should we report both services? Answer: You can bill [...] Related articles:

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  3. Check New HCPCS Codes to Keep Pain Management Claims on TrackCatch the changes to botulinum toxin and neurostimulator electrode codes....

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December 8, 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...
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  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...
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  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
Coding Challenge / modifier 54 / modifier 55

Cataract Surgery Coding: When Optometrist Provides Postop Care

We’ve got the modifier you need when the ophthalmic surgeon passes the baton. Question: An ophthalmic surgeon performs cataract surgery, and then turns the patient over to the optometrist for postoperative management only. How should I code between the two providers? Do I need a modifier? Answer: If the ophthalmic surgeon turns the patient over to the [...] Related articles:

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  3. Cataract Removal Eye-Opener: 66984CPT 66984 is the number-one procedure performed in ASCs, according...

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December 7, 2009
Coding Challenge / radiology

How to Code for Screening Mammogram When Radiologist Finds Problem?

Watch out: Results don’t turn screening into diagnostic Question: A patient presented for a screening mammogram, and the radiologist determined the patient needed an ultrasound for a closer look. The patient returned for that test at a later date. Should I code the original mammogram as 77056 instead of 77057 because the radiologist found a possible [...] Related articles:

  1. Radiology Billing Checklist: Rules for Additional Tests without Treating Physician’s OrderKeep these additional test rules at your fingertips if your...
  2. Diagnostic Radiology ICD-9 Code Update: New Mammo Code 793.82 New code 793.82 shakes up the whole 793.x range...
  3. Radiology Coding Tips: Mammograms, CTs, MRIs and MoreRadiology coding is multi-faceted. Here are some foolproof radiology coding...

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December 5, 2009
CPT 2010 / Hot Coding Topics

CPT 2010 Update: Tally Up Common Audiology Code Groups Into Single Codes

Plus, add this new tympanometry code to your cache next year. One of CPT 2010’s initiatives is to move several codes typically performed together into one code. Check out these new audiology testing codes and understand the rationale before Jan. 1 hits. For instance, if your physician performs a vestibular evaluation in 2010, you will report new [...] Related articles:

  1. Diagnostic Radiology ICD-9 Code Update: New Mammo Code 793.82 New code 793.82 shakes up the whole 793.x range...
  2. Can a Sleep Study Code Describe an Awake Test? Question: A sleep study was ordered for a patient...
  3. Bundle of His Recording Coding ChallengeQuestion: How should I report right atrial pacing and recording...

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December 5, 2009
pathology / Toolkit

Zero In On Correct Nasal-Specimen Coding With This Quick Quiz

Missing multiple 88304 specimens could cost your practice $125. Busting the polyps’ “s” myth and identifying separately billable nasal specimens could add hundreds of dollars to a pathology claim. Make sure you’re not falling into two common coding traps by trying your hand at these two questions; then checking your answers. Question 1: The lab receives [...] Related articles:

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  2. 5 Rules Pinpoint Date of Service for Laboratory ClaimsTip 3: Here’s DOS advice for archived samples. You can’t...
  3. Are You Up For ICD-9 2010? Quick Quiz Says For Sure Surgery Coders: These 5 questions reveal if you need an...

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December 5, 2009
Provider News

Coding News Travels to Florida for 2010 Updates

Do you have a question about how you should code in 2010? Write us and we’ll ask the experts. Princesses have their castles, but the big news in Orlando this weekend is that the Coding Queens are coming to town! This week in Orlando, nationally known coding & billing experts like Marvel Hammer, Melanie Witt, Leslie Johnson [...] Related articles:

  1. CCI 15.2 News: 3,500 New Code Pairs, Plus Modifier Status Changes CPT continues to add new codes, and the Correct Coding...
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  3. AboutCoding News is the essential digest of updates and advice...

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December 4, 2009
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:

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  3. Pediatric PE Coding: Look Out for These Documentation Misses Here’s why oral thrush could be a major issue....

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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...
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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