By now the official CPT® 2010 manual is either in your hands or on its way. To ensure coding accuracy, however, you will need to update your book with some new information now posted on the AAPC Web site.
By David J. Freedman, DPM, FASPS, CPC
While reviewing records for submission, I often see coding and billing errors in foot, ankle, and lower leg claims. Bypassing the following seven common foot and ankle mistakes and using certain tips for ensuring successful coding will help you collect what your practice is entitled to.
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
The CPT® 2010 code book includes some changes that will take many coders by surprise. Here’s a synopsis:
Consult Codes. While the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) grapples with the idea of deleting these codes, the American Medical Association (AMA) extends their life into 2010 — changing only the language in the outpatient and inpatient coding instructions. For 2010, a consulting physician may assume responsibility for the management of all or a portion of the patient care after completing the consultation. What remains from 2009 are guidelines that say the consult must be requested by another provider, and that a report is returned to the requesting provider with the opinion of the consulting physician.
Resequencing of Codes. For 2010, coders will find codes appearing out of sequence, and also parent codes linked to indented codes that have smaller numbers (i.e., 21554 Excision, tumor, soft tissue of neck or anterior thorax, subfascial (eg, intramuscular); 5 cm or greater is a new indented code under 21556 Excision, tumor, soft tissue of neck or anterior thorax, subfascial (eg, intramuscular); less than 5 cm). Place-holding codes in sequential order send the reader to the new location for codes listed out of sequence, and a new icon — a pound sign (#) — identifies codes that are out of sequence.
Fluoroscopy. More codes are seeing the addition of the phrase “with or without fluoroscopy,” further bundling this practice into the main procedure.
Watch EdgeBlast and the Coding Edge for more details.
Monday, July 13th, 2009
The July update to the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) corrects a bundling error discovered in the April update, reports Coding News.
A bundling error in version 15.1 applied CPT® code 64550 Application of surface [transcutaneous] neurostimulator into hundreds of other procedures. Version 15.2, effective July 1, only bundles 64550 into several anesthesia codes.
Also in version 15.2 you will find bundled into most of the radiology codes and some of the echocardiography codes add-on code 96376 Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection; each additional sequential intravenous push of the same substance/drug provided in a facility.
CCI 15.2 contains six mutually exclusive edits bundling general eye service codes 92002 Ophthalmological services: medical examination and evaluation with initiation of diagnostic and treatment program; intermediate, new patient, 92012 Ophthalmological services: medical examination and evaluation with initiation of diagnostic and treatment program; comprehensive, new patient, 1 or more visits, and 92014 Ophthalmological services: medical examination and evaluation, with initiation or continuation of diagnostic and treatment program; intermediate, established patient into special eye service codes 92018 Ophthalmological examination and evaluation, under general anesthesia, with or without manipulation of globe for passive range of motion or other manipulation to facilitate diagnostic examination; complete and 92019 Ophthalmological examination and evaluation, under general anesthesia, with or without manipulation of globe for passive range of motion or other manipulation to facilitate diagnostic examination; limited. You cannot use a modifier to separate these codes.
You can, however, use a modifier to separate 92018 and 92019 from their bundling with most eye surgery codes.
For more information, read “CCI 15.2 Retracts Neurostimulator Edits From 15.1” on the Coding News Web site (registration required).
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
A proposed rule that addresses Part B payment policies paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) went on display today in the Federal Register. The proposed rule with comment period includes several policy changes intended to help offset a much-anticipated payment cut in 2010.
Friday, May 1st, 2009
Providers submitting claims to Cigna: Make sure to read the private payer’s latest Professional Claims Code Editing and Documentation Requirements Guidelines. Effective April 27, the company now requires supporting documentation for some claims containing modifiers 25 and 59.
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursed physicians approximately $1.6 billion for major eye global surgeries performed in 2005. About $97.6 million of those Medicare payments were for evaluation and management (E/M) services included in eye global surgery fees that were more than likely not provided during global surgery periods, according to an Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit.
Monday, April 13th, 2009
New clinical guidelines jointly released by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) recommend all obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) evaluate a patient’s risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer as a routine part of their practice.
Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Professional Coders | 2480 South 3850 West, Suite B, Salt Lake City, Utah 84120