Burn Coding: Calculate Total Body Surface Area (TBSA)

Investigate your physician’s documentation to determine the body area percentage actually debrided.
Question: My anesthesiologist administered anesthesia for a burn excision on the leg of a middle-aged adult male, but he didn’t give clear notes on the patient’s affected body surface area. How do I code for this?
Kansas Subscriber
Answer: You will start by coding 01952 (Anesthesia […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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