BCBS / Hot Coding Topics / Musculoskeletal

Use This Podiatry Scenario to Perfect Your Emerging Technology Claims

Hint: If you try to use an unlisted code, be sure your OP notes include this information. If you don’t know the ins-and-outs of coding cutting edge procedures, you risk getting left in the dust as medicine continues to evolve. A new techniques, however, doesn’t always mean a new, corresponding CPT code. Check out this podiatry [...] Related articles:

  1. Podiatry Coding Clinic: G0245 and G0246Here’s when you may need to get an ABN Medicare...
  2. Podiatry Coding Education: 28293 For Joint Replacement for Hallux LimitusQuestion: Our podiatrist performed a joint replacement for hallux limitus and...
  3. Finger Modifiers Give You a Grip on Hand Surgery Claims Get a Handle On Hand Surgery Claims By Fixating...

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February 15, 2010
Coding Challenge / surgery

Surgical Coding Mysteries: The Case of the Separate Mesh

Beware Separate Mesh Removal Question: The surgeon performed the following: Made 10 cm supraumbilical transverse incision with 15-blade scalpel carried down through subcutaneous tissue using Bovie. Used combination electrocautery and blunted dissection to isolate area of scar tissue on patient’s right side. Noted sutures from previous umbilical hernia repair and mesh from right-lower abdominal hernia repair. Excised [...] Related articles:

  1. Don’t Mesh Up Your +57267 CodingAn ob-gyn doc with coding know-how tells us how to...
  2. What a Mesh! (+57267)Take this advice to avoid messing up your mesh coding:...
  3. Surgical Coding: Modifiers 58, 78, and 79SURGICAL MODIFIER CHOICES Surgery Modifier Choices are Key to Surgery...

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November 21, 2009
Coding Challenge / modifier 50

Is 30901 Your Nosebleed Code? Not So Fast?

Hint: Look for these keywords in the note to select the correct nosebleed code. Question: The internist stops a patient’s nosebleed. Is this always a procedure? Answer: No, if a patient reports with a nosebleed and the physician stops the bleeding with basic methods, you’ll typically opt for the appropriate-level E/M code. E/M methods: Code minimal attempts at [...] Related articles:

  1. Can You Code ‘Buddy Taping’ Separately? Question: An established patient complains of pain in her...
  2. Should You Code Presenting Symptoms Along With Dx? Question: An established patient complains of trouble breathing and...
  3. How Do I Code Blood Draw Plus E/M?Question: An established type II diabetic patient comes in for...

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November 11, 2009