Hot Coding Topics / modifier LT / modifier RT / Oig

Coding Compliance: OIG Targets Transforaminal Epidural Injections

Verify that you’re counting injections and levels correctly to keep claims clean. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) Work Plan for 2010 includes a closer look at Medicare payments for transforaminal epidural injections. The Work Plan specifically states, “We will review Medicare claims to determine the appropriateness of Medicare Part B payments for transforaminal epidural injections.” Stay [...] Related articles:

  1. Save Time Coding Facet Injections With This Coding Tool Hint: Location, number and substance are key. Several factors...
  2. Anesthesia Coding Education: Combined Spinal EpiduralQuestion: Our anesthesiologists sometimes mark our C-section tickets as “combined...
  3. Trigger Point Injection Coding: Count Targets, Not Shots Become the top TPI gun in your coding department...

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February 17, 2010
Provider News

Physician Fee Schedule Update: An Extension for the Temporary Conversion Fix?

Fear not: The CF may stay until autumn, but the current snow storm is delaying the official word. Practices that were looking for a permanent change to the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula before March 1 may come up empty-handed. However, Congress appears to be planning to offer an extension of the pay cuts that you’re [...] Related articles:

  1. Proposed 2010 Physician Fee Schedule: A Closer Look21.5 percent cut looms for your services Last week, Coding...
  2. SGR Update: What’s Up With That 21 Percent Physician Pay Cut? Here’s what you should be watching on Capitol Hill....
  3. CMS Issues Corrections to 2009 Physician Fee Schedule Final RuleIt’s that time of year again — time to get...

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February 17, 2010
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
Provider News

CMS Will Offer New Modifier to Denote Admitting Physician on Claims

Pop the champagne cork & get ready for brand new inpatient coding rules. With the changes to consult coding in 2010, it will be more important than ever to report hospital visits properly. In the past, only the admitting physician reported initial hospital care codes (99221- 99223), and specialists who saw the patient separately often billed inpatient [...] Related articles:

  1. Answers To Your Hospital Admission, Subsequent Care Coding Questions Revenue Booster: Here’s when you can claim a consult...
  2. Medicare Changes to 2010 CPT Inpatient Consultation Codes Prevent 99251-99245 denials in 2010 with this checklist. Multiple...
  3. Proposed 2010 Physician Fee Schedule: A Closer Look21.5 percent cut looms for your services Last week, Coding...

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November 21, 2009
Medicare / Toolkit

Coder’s Navigation Tool: 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

It’s that time of year coders — yes, time to comb through pages and pages and pages of the final 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. We’ve got a handy place to start. If you want a quick overview of fee schedule’s financial impact on your physician practice’s specialty, go here and scroll to page 1171. There, [...] Related articles:

  1. Proposed 2010 Physician Fee Schedule: A Closer Look21.5 percent cut looms for your services Last week, Coding...
  2. How Obama’s Medicare Cuts Hit Physician Reimbursement  The budget released Thursday suggests we cut $300 billion from...
  3. CMS Issues Corrections to 2009 Physician Fee Schedule Final RuleIt’s that time of year again — time to get...

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November 8, 2009