CMS / Provider News

AMA Chimes In On How to Report Consults for Non-Medicare Patients

Beware: Don’t use the CMS consult crosswalk for billing purposes. You may be seeing light at the end of the tunnel. The AMA just published an article to clarify the use of the consultation codes for non-Medicare patients, and talks about their efforts to get CMS to delay their new policy. You can find the article [...] Related articles:

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  3. Proposed 2010 MPFS: $26 More for ‘Welcome to Medicare’ ExamCMS welcomed health care providers to an July 9 open...

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February 4, 2010
Coding Challenge / radiology

Radiology Coding Education: Is 76705 OK for Back?

Question: For a lower back ultrasound of a soft tissue mass, which CPT code is appropriate? Answer: Code 76705 (Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; limited [e.g., single organ, quadrant, follow-up]) is appropriate for this lower back ultrasound. Although the code descriptor states “abdominal” and not “back,” CPT Assistant (May 2009) clarifies that 76705 is appropriate [...] Related articles:

  1. New From CPT Assistant: Help with Trunk Ultrasound Coding Do you know exactly what’s in the mediastinum? Your US...
  2. Double Ultrasound Codes Spell Double Trouble With AuditorsAuthorities scrutinize medical necessity for 76830 & 76856. The OIG...
  3. 5 Lessons Radiology Coders Should Learn From CCI 15.3Wonder if there’s a method to the 76001 madness? Here’s...

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November 2, 2009