Coding Challenge

Medical Coders: Don’t Let Shorthand Block You From Correct Code

If you have a question, be sure to ask your physician.

Question: A patient reports to the ER at 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning. He reports a horrible toothache that started on Friday; he says he planned to “tough it out” over the weekend and see his dentist Monday, but the pain was too severe; he reports 10 on a 10-point pain scale. The ER physician performs an “inf. Aveo block,” according to the notes. What condition do the notes reflect, and how should I code this scenario?

Massachusetts Subscriber

Answer: You should double-check with the physician before filing…

Pay Attention to Button TURP Technique

Be careful — the similarity to a laser procedure may deceive you.

Question: My urologist is performing a new procedure called a “button TURP.” I thought 52601 or 53852 might be correct, but now I’m thinking an unlisted procedure code may be more appropriate. What code should I use for this procedure?

California Subscriber

Answer: You should report 52601 (Transurethral electrosurgical resection of prostate, including control of postoperative bleeding, complete [vasectomy, meatotomy, cystourethroscopy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy are included]) for the button transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) procedure.
Why: The button TURP is a bipolar…

Ensure Counseling Claims With Pointed Questions

This modifier is key to E&M and counseling codes cohabiting on your claim.

Question: Can I report alcohol cessation counseling codes along with E/M codes, or do I have to choose one or the other?

Idaho Subscriber

Answer: You can,…

Check 33208 Global to Prevent E&M Snafu

When an EM service occurs during a postop global period for reasons unrelated to the original procedure, use this modifier.

Question: If the cardiologist performs a pacemaker insertion in the hospital and later visits the patient in observation, should I…

Medical Coders: Use 36415 for Lab Draws

You have two options depending on the next step.

Question: Our vascular office performs blooddraws and analysis for a local hospital. Can we bill for a lab draw in an office setting, and if so, what codes should we use?…

Append Modifier Q6 for Fill-In Physician

Before using modifier Q6 for a non-Medicare patient, check with the commercial payer — here’s why.

Question: We hired a locum tenens for two weeks. Do we code the same for the replacement physician as for a full-time…

Tune in to Video-Conference Cat. III Code

Here’s what you need to explain in your cover letter.

Question: Our doctor has agreed to be a specialty resource for a small rural hospital. She recently provided critical care services for an ER patient with acute seizures

…

Stay Alert: Modifier 57 Isn’t for Consults Only

Even though Medicare no longer accepts consult codes, you can still apply modifier 57.

Question: In our ob-gyn office, we used to apply modifier 57 to inpatient consult codes. Now that Medicare doesn’t accept consult codes, how should we use…

Radiology Medical Coders – Tighten Up Your LAP-BAND Coding

If your radiologist performs adjustments during the bariatric surgery’s global period, do this.

Question: Our radiologists perform percutaneous LAP-BAND adjustments. We report S2083 for the service and 77002 for the fluoroscopy. Is this the correct fluoroscopy code?

Connecticut Subscriber

Answer:…

Medical Coders: Don’t Let Shorthand Block You From Correct Code

Pay Attention to Button TURP Technique

Ensure Counseling Claims With Pointed Questions

Check 33208 Global to Prevent E&M Snafu

Medical Coders: Use 36415 for Lab Draws

Append Modifier Q6 for Fill-In Physician

Tune in to Video-Conference Cat. III Code

Stay Alert: Modifier 57 Isn’t for Consults Only

Radiology Medical Coders – Tighten Up Your LAP-BAND Coding

Surgical Coding: Follow Hernia Bundling Rules

Most Popular:

Last-Minute Tips For Creating An ICD-10 Command Center

ICD-10 Data: Does It Matter?

Researchers Create Online Tool To Ease Transition to ICD-10 Codes

Know your Priorities When it Comes to ICD-10: Five Areas that Deserve your Attention Now

There’s not enough incentive to keep health care data safe

House Members Mull October ICD-10 Launch at Hearing

Clinical Documentation Improvement in the Medical Practice in Preparation for ICD-10

Top 10 Government Health IT stories of 2014

CMS Announces Important ICD-10 Testing Dates

5 Project Management Keys To ICD-10 Planning