ICD 9 Codes Online: for 425.8 Clues, Check ICD-9 Guide

Cardiology coder may often be bowled over by questions such as this, while glancing through the ICD-9 manual.

ICD 9 codes online, ICD-9 manual, Medical Coding

If you are a cardiology coder, you may often be bowled over by questions such as this. “While glancing through the ICD-9 manual, I wanted to have a look at the ICD-9 codes for sarcoidosis with cardiomyopathy. In the index, under ‘sarcoidosis, cardiac’, the listing is 135, with 425.8 italicized. When I looked up 425.8 in the tabular list, I saw that code and definition were in italics. So what do the brackets and italics indicate in this type of listing?

Most probably, your manual uses the italics to catch your attention so that you remember not to use 425.8 as a first-listed diagnosis. In its place, the italicized code represents a manifestation of another disease which you should code first. A note under 425.8 guides you to “code first underlying disease". Included in the list of underlying diseases is "sarcoidosis (135)."As such, on the claim you should list 135 first and use 425.8 as a secondary code.

Remember that 135 is one of the small number of valid three-digit ICD-9 codes. The code doesn’t have any fourth or fifth digit choices.

In the opening pages, you should find a guide to using your ICD-9 manual. For instance, page xii of the AMA’s 2010 professional edition (vol. 1 and 2) explains that the ‘code first’ instruction indicates an instructional note that directs the coder to sequence the underlying condition prior to the manifestation. To add to it, the manual makes use of a blue dot to the left of 425.8, and the manual guide explains, “The blue dot before a code indicates that the code should not be reported as the first-listed diagnosis.

For more on this and to get ICD 9 codes online(http://www.supercoder.com/icd9-codes/), sign up for a one-stop Medical Coding website.

Know the CPT Codes: Medicare Repeat Pap Smears

Measure your options of E/M and specimen handling codes as well as diagnosis codes, when patient comes back to your office for repeat Pap smear.

CPT coding website, CPT codes, CPT coding, diagnosis codes

When a patient comes back to your office for a repeat Pap smear, you need to measure your options of E/M and specimen handling codes as well as diagnosis codes. Take this test to see how you fare and put off payment from slipping through your fingers.

Question 1: What CPT code should you report when a patient comes in for a second Pap smear? And why?

Answer: Here’s what CPT codes to use.

When the patient comes in for a Pap smear second time round, submit the right E/M office visit code. You are likely to be able to report 99212 for this visit as the patient will come in only for the Pap smear and CPT does not include a specific code for taking the Pap. Code 99212 carries 1.08 RVUs, unadjusted for geography. This translates to about $31 for this visit (using the new conversion factor of 28.3868).

Question 2: Will you get reimbursement for handling the repeat Pap smear? Why or why not?

Answer 2: Handling the specimen depends on payer

Some private payers will compensate for handling the repeat Pap smear specimen. However, Medicare carriers think the collection and handling part of a problem E/M service, and you shouldn’t code for it separately.

To add to it, Medicare will not reimburse for Q0091 for the repeat Pap smear as it’s a diagnostic test. In this case, Medicare thinks of the service as a problem E/M, not a preventive screening, and the specimen collection is part of the E/M service.

Source URL :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-ob-gyn-coding-alert/coding-quiz-can-you-submit-99000-medicare-repeat-pap-smears-find-out-article

New and Revised Vaccine and Category III codes

The AMA’s new and revised vaccine and Category III codes? If not, slow down and take a closer look.

CPT codes, CPT 2011, CPT code list, Medical Coding, CPT coding

Have you read through the AMA’s new and revised vaccine and Category III codes? If not, slow down and take a closer look. Check the updated status classifications for various vaccine codes and gear up to use them now that the FDA has given the go ahead.

Code 90650 gathers FDA Clearance

In October last year, the AMA published a new code for Human Pailloma virus (HPV) vaccine on its website. CPT codes does not include 90650, however you have been able to report it following payer guidelines.

The CPT coding process allows for development of new codes and numbers; however they don’t become active until FDA approved. New codes might be included in CPT, however have a lightning bolt symbol designating pending FDA approval.

Change of status: The latest coding information from AMA does away with the lightning bolt symbol from 90650, effective back to the FDA approval date of Oct. 16, 2009. You’ll get 90650 in CPT 2011 as a fully approved code.

Most payers will not pay for vaccines until they are FDA approved. Even after approval, there can be a lag time from three to six months until payers pick up on the fully approved code.

Most payers will not shell out money for vaccines until they are FDA approved. Even after approval, there can be a lag time from three 3 to 6 months until payers pick up on the fully-approved code.

According to many, if the code is not indicated in the CPT book yet, many carriers will not recognize the code. They will give you an ‘invalid code’ denial, even though you can officially use the code.

But the good news is, once news of code 90650’s FDA approval spreads, you should be able to file claims unhindered.

Source URL :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-pediatric-coding-alert/category-iii-codes-shift-90650-hpv-vaccine-from-pending-to-approved-list-of-choices-article

Difference between LCDs and LMRPs

Difference between LCDs and LMRPs contain only reasonable and necessary conditions of coverage as permitted under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Act.

CPT code, LCDs and LMRPs, ICD-9-CM codes

LCDs (Local coverage determinations) are defined in Section 1869(f)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act. For the purpose of this section, the term ‘local coverage determination’ means a determination by a fiscal intermediary or a carrier under part A or for that matter part B, as valid, respecting whether or not a particular item or service is covered on an intermediary or carrier-wide basis under such parts.

Difference between LCDs and LMRPs

The difference between LCDs and LMRPs contain only reasonable and necessary conditions of coverage as permitted under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Act. The previously written LMRPs may also cover other information like coding and payment guidelines.

LCDs are in actuality limited to coverage questions relative to medical necessity, and not to other coverage issues or to coding issues. But there are other elements that are included to make it easier for providers and contractors to reference the LCD and apply it smoothly. For instance this includes lists of HCPCS and CPT codes that make clear which services the LCD applies to and lists of ICD-9 codes for which the service is covered. Few of the LMRPs may contain benefit category, statutory exclusions, and coding provisions.

For more information on LCDs, sign up http://www.supercoder.com/. When you sign up for one, you’ll have access to the LCD tool that quickly delivers the ICD-9-CM codes that your contractor type permits for a given CPT code . You simply need to enter your CPT code, choose your contractor type and your state.

New Symbol of Online CPT Codes 2010

CPT 2010 introduce the new # symbol to alert you to an out-of-order code. Because were no specific codes where you expect them and making use of an unspecified code when a specific code is available could affect your pay.

Online CPT codes, CPT 2010, medical coding

If you are relying on numerical order to ensure you find the correct hemorrhoidectomy code, you need to watch out. As you know, from January 1, there are no specific codes where you expect them and making use of an unspecified code when a specific code is available could affect your pay. This is why CPT 2010 introduced the new # symbol to alert you to an out-of-order code.

The symbol “#" works like a flashing yellow light: You need to slow down as there might be something unexpected. The AMA has come up with another option rather than moving groups of codes to new sections. CPT will now resequence codes in some examples to avoid renumbering the codes.

When you are coding a lesion excision, you normally assume the code number goes up by one as the excision’s size class goes up. However this truism will no longer hold true. Thankfully, watching for the symbol # will alert you to these inconsistencies.

Follow the road signs to relocated code

The AMA has also got a new method of relocating an existing out-of-order code. In spite of deleting the code and creating a new number with the same or similar definition, the AMA will move the code to its more apt location and leave a road sign for you.

For more on this and to get online CPT codes (http://www.supercoder.com/cpt-codes/)information, sign up for a one-stop Medical Coding Website. When you sign up for one, you’ll stay up to date on all the changes taking place in the coding world.

Cardiology Edit Pairs: Know what’s in and What’s Out

CCI 16.2 much changed from July. Cardiology Coder needs to beware of coding transatheter therapy and vascular imaging on the same date.

Correct Coding Initiatives, CCI 16.2, Medical Coding, CCI edits

CCI 16.2 went in full effect on July 1 this year. If you are a cardiology coder, you need to beware of coding transcatheter therapy and vascular imaging on the same date. However there is good news too.

What’s been deleted: Correct coding initiatives deletes edits for MTWA and stress tests

Earlier, you faced an edit that has barred reporting cardiovascular stress test codes 93015-93017 with 93025. But from July 1, you are able to report these codes together, owing to an edit deletion in the new CCI edits.

What’s in: Comply with new ECG and Imaging Edits

Of all the just-in correct coding initiatives, ensure you note these areas in particular: Now CCI bundles 75896 into many codes, including endovascular repair codes 34800-34805, as well as vascular procedure codes 75600-75791 and 75810-75891. These edits have a modifier indicator of 1, which means that you may override the edit with a modifier like 59 when appropriate. Now CCI also bundles 93000-93010 into cardiac CT codes 75571-75574. These edits also have a modifier indicator of 1.

Remember: As modifier 59 has the potential to bypass CCI edits, practices use this modifier quite often. However you should never use modifier 59 just to get paid for a procedure.

That apart, CPT instructions say that if a more specific modifier describes the situation, you should go for modifier 59. This modifier should be a modifier of last resort and only used when there’s no other modifier to compliantly bypass the bundling edit, and the procedure was clearly distinct and different from that of the other procedure. For instance modifiers LT and RT may be more apt for your case.

Source URL :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-cardiology-coding-alert/cci-update-get-the-scoop-on-whats-in-and-whats-out-for-cardiology-edit-pairs-article

Tips to help you Code 31626 with Confidence

Often radiation oncologists use markers to ensure they are pinpointing the right anatomic area. This means you have to be able to pinpoint the right marker placement code.
Keep a look out on: You have one more code to select from CPT 2010’s introduction of 31626. To ensure you are using the new code right, check out these ‘dos’ and don’ts straight from the AMA’s CPT symposium.

1. Report Marker Placement only once

Code 31626 may be right when doctors place fiducial markers used to guide a thoracoscopy or to help visualize for a more precise lung wedge biopsy. Then again, the code may be apt when the doctor places a marker to designate an area for radiation.

Be careful: Code 31626 is for one or more markers. Many a time, the doctor places four; however a case could require five to six markers. The code is reported just once; however do not confuse placement with the markers themselves. You may use them separately if your practice bears the cost of the markers.

2. Do not confuse 31626 With 32553

To keep 31626 straight from a second 2010-introduced fiducial marker placement code, answer one simple question: ‘How did the marker get there?

Solution: Take a look at which route the doctor used to place the marker:

Report 31626 for a fiducial marker bronchoscopically delivered via the airway.

Report 32553 if the marker arrived there percutaneously through the chest wall.

For information on other CPT 2010 fiducial marker placement changes, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Such a site comes loaded with everything be it coding tools, medical coding article, ICD-10 bridge(http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/icd-10-coding-alert), like-minded coders to exchange notes, and lots more.

Stay Tuned to CPT 2010 Changes

Reporting your general surgeon’s service with an unlisted code means more documentation work and a guessing game when it comes to payment; that is the reason why everyone welcomed CPT 2010’s more specific codes.
CPT 2010 added 14301and +14302 for these services. Before the addition of 14301-14302, there was no real ways to describe this work appropriately as the then-existing codes did not describe repair of very large defects.

Clear up lap paraesophageal hernia repair confusion

You now have two new codes for laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair. You need to bypass the unlisted codes: 43281, 43282.

The new codes should help clarify remaining confusion about CPT 2009 revised lap hernia repair coding. The code changes will also aid coders to distinguish these paraesophageal hernias from epigastric hernias.

Do not miss: CPT lists these laparoscopic codes under the esophagus section; however the open code for paraesophageal hernia repair is under the diaphragm section.

Welcome lap sleeve Gastrectomy Code

General surgeons have carried out sleeve gastrectomies by lap approach for some time; however CPT did not provide a specific code until the AMA added 43775 this year.

There has been a lot of confusion about bundling on these procedures as well as medical necessity requirements. Having a specific code will help with that.

Reworked anus excision codes

CPT 2010 revised 14 anus excision codes and shuffles them around. The code changes in the range 46200-46280 tighten up hemorrhoidectomy coding and other procedures like fissurectomy.

ICD-9 2011 Solves Partial Removal Stumper

Using the FBR diagnosis at the initial FBR encounter mean future claims using the same ICD-9 code would be denied? ICD-9 2011 will get rid of these dilemmas.
ICD-9 2011, ICD-9 code, Medical Coding

ICD-9 2011 solves partial removal stumper
When you cannot get all of a splinter out, a new diagnoses code series will soon tell you the story. Family Physicians (FPs) are all too familiar with foreign body removal that gets only part of the object. And with effect from this October, they will have a diagnosis code that explains the condition.

Pieces of wood, glass or bullet shrapnel might be left during foreign body removal. The fragment may break or split, making impossible removing the entire foreign body.

This condition has bowled over many a family physician. Oftentimes, with a wood splinter removal, the procedure removes some foreign body, however not all of it. Is the FBR ICD-9 code apt? In the event, the patient had further FBR done at another encounter, would using the FBR diagnosis at the initial FBR encounter mean future claims using the same ICD-9 code would be denied?

You need to add these V90 codes to your diagnosis charge ticket

Now ICD-9 2011 will get rid of both dilemmas. Effective October 1, 2010, you can indicate a foreign body was partially removed. You can even indicate a follow-up check for infection after complete removal with a just-in code for personal history of retained foreign body removed fully (V15.53).

Some of the fragment codes you should squeeze onto your super bill are:

Animal quills or spines V90.31

Glass V90.81

Metal, magnetic V90.11

Source URL :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-family-practice-coding-alert/coding-changes-icd-9-2011-solves-partial-removal-stumper-102526-article

Importance of Coding Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common diseases in Medicare Beneficiaries. It is a disease in which the body fails to properly produce or use insulin

diabetes coding guidelines, Medical Coding

Diabetes coding guidelines:
One of the most common diseases seen in Medicare beneficiaries is diabetes mellitus. It is a disease in which the body fails to properly produce or use insulin. It can also be one of the toughest conditions to code properly under CMS model owing to its complexity and resultant complications and manifestations. There are two major types of diabetes mellitus that coders need to be aware of:

Type I Diabetes Mellitus (DM I)

Type II Diabetes Mellitus (DM II)

DM codes are located in the 250 category; the fourth digit indicates the diabetic manifestation while the fifth digit indicates whether the diabetes is Type I or Type II and whether it is controlled or uncontrolled.

Do doctors understand the importance of coding diabetes mellitus? Do you follow ICD-9-CM coding guidelines?

Diabetes mellitus coding has taken you for a spin? If so, you can get back your coding confidence by signing up for a one-stop medical coding website. When you register yourself for one, you will learn how to code diabetes mellitus and associated manifestations. You’ll also gain more insight on perplexing diabetes guidelines and get to know how diabetes and other metabolic conditions affect DGR reimbursement.

Onboard such a coding website, you will have a closer look at the official guidelines for coding diabetes mellitus and secondary diabetes, ways to interpret and troubleshoot physician documentation and all diabetes coding guidelines that you would want to know. So sign up for one Medical Coding (http://www.supercoder.com/)Website today and see the difference it brings to your practice.

ICD - 10 Codes – Three Important Details You Need to Know

In order to be ready for ICD-10, you will need to implement the new 5010 claim form first.

As you gear up for this change, here are three key details you need to learn now so that your practice is ready when the implementation deadline rolls around.

Do not postpone preparation because you expect a delay

Now isn’t too soon to start thinking about ICD-10. The more familiar you are with the changes, the smoother the transition will be. Although you shouldn’t begin your intensive, in-depth ICD-10 training until six to nine months prior to implementation, you can gear up in other ways now.

No exclusions: The ICD-10 deadline applies to you no matter where you work – be it hospital, ambulatory surgical center, physician practice, and the like.

Make your doctors ready

Presently CMS publishes about 14,000 ICD-9 codes; however there’ll be over 69,000 ICD-10 codes. The additional codes will allow you to provide more detail in describing diagnoses and procedures. As because ICD-10 codes will often be more detailed and specific when compared to ICD-9 codes, you may need to urge your doctor to be more detailed in his documentation.

While ICD-10 will call for some improvement in physician documentation, the higher the quality of your documentation now, the easier it’ll be to avoid unspecified codes, and the quicker you’ll find the spot on ICD-10 code.

Myth: One of the major concerns about ICD-10 is the increased number of codes making ICD-10 really difficult to use. But that shouldn’t be the case at present. While your urologist’s documentation will need to be detailed and clear, the diagnosis code set will not be more difficult to make use of.

The Good news is that the rules for assigning ICD-10 codes, as they presently stand, are very similar to the rules for the existing ICD-9.

Communicate with vendors to ensure readiness

You should be involved when practices communicate with information system vendors about their plans for ICD-10 implementation.

To make a smooth transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10, sign up for a one-stop Medical coding website and have access to an ICD-10 Bridge.

Stay Tuned To the Latest Changes in ICD - 9 Codes

ICD 9 Codes 2011 - The ICD 9 proposed codes for 2011, which take effect on October 1, 2010, have been released. This time round there are 122 new codes which are accompanied by 11 deleted and nine revised diagnosis codes. Of the 122 new codes, 54 are V codes. As such, it’s important that you update your coding resources.

Some of the diagnosis codes that go into effect on October 1 this year are:

237.73 - Schwannomatosis

275.02 - Hemochromatosis due to repeated red blood cell transfusions

315.35*- Childhood onset fluency disorder

Some of the diagnosis codes that will become invalid from this October are:

275.0 – Disorders of iron metabolism

276.6 – Fluid overload

999.6 – ABO incompatibility reaction

While some of the procedure codes that will go into effect on the same date are:

00.60 - Insertion of drug-eluting stent(s) of superficial femoral artery

39.81 - implantation or replacement of carotid sinus stimulation device, total system

39.87 – Removal of carotid sinus stimulation lead(s) only

For all procedure codes list as well as diagnosis codes list that will go into effect from October this year, you can sign up http://www.supercoder.com/. When you get on board such a website, you will have access to a codes look up tool that will help you keep a tab on which codes have been deleted, which codes have made an entry, and which codes have been revised.

Make Smooth and Easy Transition in Medical CodingMake Smooth and Easy Transition in Medical Coding

ICD-9 code structure went out because of the limitation of the five digit numeric construction. ICD-10 codes allow for a more comprehensive description of the diagnosis.

ICD codes are used around the world to identify the disease or medical condition of a person undergoing treatment. The ICD-9 code structure went out because of the limitation of the five digit numeric construction. The ICD-10 codes allow for a more comprehensive description of the diagnosis. The new code structure has room to accommodate new inpatient procedures of care that are already performed. The new codes will allow for better analysis of disease patterns and treatment outcomes and it’s being said that they will streamline claims submission.
The ICD 10 code sets will bring with it almost 55,000 additional codes. Right now CMS publishes about 14,000 ICD-9 codes; however, there are well over 69,000 ICD-10 codes.
In three years time, you will have to use a letter with all your diagnoses codes. You will also have expanded documentation for numerous conditions and submit claims on a new form. If you are apprehensive of making the transition, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website.

When you sign up for one, you will have access to an ICD-10 Bridge. The bridge will let you view results quickly for every ICD-9-CM code and its equivalent ICD-10 options. Within a short span of time you will have a feel for education sessions, charge tickets changes and documentation additions. An ICD-10 bridge won’t help you leap over this diagnosis tower; however you will feel you have conquered the battle without the struggles you expected.

So go for one and see how easy it is to make the transition.
We provide you simple, instant connection to official code descriptors & guidelines and other tools for 2010 CPT code, HCPCS lookup(http://www.supercoder.com/hcpcs-codes) that help coders and billers to excel in the work they do every day.
ICD-10 codes, ICD-9 code, ICD-9-CM, Medical Coding

Follow Steps to Boost ICD 9 Coding

ICD 9 Codes help you to know about new steps to boost your Coding Career.

Your CPT codes should always be linked to a proper appropriate ICD-9 code, however, selecting the proper ICD-9 code for presenting problems versus underlying conditions can be challenging. Here are four steps to boost your ICD-9 coding:
Step 1: Depend on present problem for diagnostics

Establishing whether the patient is symptomatic is a key distinction to make when coding.

When the pediatrician orders testing on a patient in order to rule out or confirm a suspected diagnosis as the patient has some sign or symptom, he is carrying out a diagnostic exam and not a screening. In cases such as these, code the sign or symptom to explain the reason for the test.

Sequencing ICD: If the patient gets only diagnostic services during visit, list the diagnosis, condition, problem, or other reason for the visit on the claim form first. This code should be the main focus of the provider’s services on that day.

Step 2: match coding to final diagnosis

The presenting symptoms may not be relevant if the pediatrician interpreted a diagnostic test prior to coding for the encounter.

For outpatient encounters for diagnostic tests that have been interpreted by a doctor, and the final report is available during the time of coding, code any confirmed or definitive diagnosis (es) documented in the interpretation.

Don’t code related signs and symptoms as additional diagnoses.

Step 3: Check three areas for pre-op exams

If the doctor carries out a pre-op evaluation for a patient, do not code the reason for surgery as the primary diagnosis.

Sequencing ICD: If the main reason for the encounter is a pre-op evaluation, first list a code from category V72.8x to describe the pre-op evaluation. After this, assign a code for the condition prompting the surgery as an additional diagnosis. You should also code any findings related to the pre-op evaluation.

Step 4: Choose ‘V’ codes for screenings

When the patient has no signs or symptoms and you carry out a test solely for screening purposes, sail past typical diagnosis codes and locate an applicable “V" code to describe the test to the payer.

Sequencing ICD: List the screening code first if the reason for the visit is specifically the screening exam. Report the screening code as an additional code; but if the provider carries out the screening during an office visit for other health problems.

You can get information on ICD codes online by signing up for a one-stop medical coding website.
We provide you simple, instant connection to official code descriptors & guidelines and other tools for 2010 CPT code, HCPCS lookup (Source "http://www.supercoder.com/hcpcs-codes") that help coders and billers to excel in the work they do every day.
ICD 9 codes online, sequencing ICD, ICD-9 Coding, medical coding

CPT Assistant: Reworked Excision Codes

If you rely on numerical order to ensure you find the proper hemorrhoidectomy code, you need to watch out as from the 1st day of this year, you don't get specific codes where you expect them - and using an unspecified code when a specific code is available could compromise your pay. That is why CPT 2010 brings about the new # symbol to alert you to an out-of-order code.

The "#" works like a flashing yellow light: Slow down, there might be something unanticipated. The AMA has created another option rather than moving groups of codes to new sections. CPT now resequences codes, in some case to avoid renumbering the codes.

For numerical order disruption, get familiar with #

When you are coding a lesion excision, you normally assume the code number increases by one as the excision's size class goes up. However that truism will no longer hold true. Luckily, watching for # will alert you to these inconsistencies.

Here's an instance:

The AMA wanted to break up the soft tissue neck excision parent code 21566 into two different sized-based codes. As 21566 is right next to 21567, there is no room for another code using numeric sequencing. In its place, the AMA selected available numbers that were close to those used.

Follow the road signs to relocated code

The AMA has also got a new method of relocating a present out of order code. Instead of deleting the code and creating a number with the same or similar definition, the AMA will move the code to its more apt location and leave a road sign for you.

For more on this and other CPT coding know how, sign up http://www.supercoder.com/. You can even get yourself a tool to help you in your coding.

We provide you simple, instant connection to official code descriptors & guidelines and other tools for 2010 CPT code, HCPCS lookup that help coders and billers to excel in the work they do every day.

New Edits Switch Columns for Polysomnography

The Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits 16.2, which went into effect on July 1, 2010 have several ‘switched edit' pairs of neurology codes you should check. If your neurologist carries out pain management injections, you will also want to include changes for some medications and procedures.

You need to change columns for +95920 and others

When CCI pairs codes as ‘mutually exclusive procedures, you cannot report those two procedures during the same patient encounter. Always submit the ‘Column 1" code of the pair as submitting the column 2 choice can bring about denials.

New versions of CCI sometimes include a few edits that reverse the column 1 and column 2 codes. Four present neurology code pairs in CCI 16.2 fall into this group; as such update your software or coding notes accordingly.

Whether you can submit both codes for the encounter depends on whether CCI assigns a "0" or "1" modifier indicator to the pair.

"0" modifier indicator means that you should never use both codes together. "1" modifier indicator means you can use both codes in some circumstances and with ample supporting documentation. You will append one of the CCI-associated modifiers like modifier 59 to the column 2 code, thus unbundling the edit and allowing payment for both the services.

ME Edits also hit 0213T-0218T

Paravertebral facet joint injection codes 0213T-0218T come into play as part of ME edits as well. The latest CCI edits pair each of the new category III codes using ultrasound for guidance with the matching paravertebral facet joint injection codes using fluoroscopy or CT guidance.

Source URL :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-neurology-coding-alert/cci-162-new-edits-switch-columns-for-polysomnography-needle-emg-pairs-article

Common Spirometry Tests: Stay Informed

In the medicine section, CPT 2010 lists several codes for spirometry testing under ‘other procedures’. The next time you are faced with determining the best code for a patient, see to it that you know the differences between these most common options and which codes you do not need to include on your claim.
Report 94010 as your first choice

While coding spirometry, the most common choice for most pediatricians is 94010.

The situation: An established patient presents for a follow-up visit after an episode of respiratory distress where she required a nebulizer or inhaler treatment. The staff evaluates the child’s respiratory status at that visit and tends to the child. You use 94010 along with an E/M code for the office visit; according to experts, the child’s significant subsequent management merits 99214.

Modifier tip: When the pediatrician completes a service in addition to evaluation/management care, payers often require you to append modifier 25 to the evaluation/management code. Including modifier 25 with 94010 and 94016 is unnecessary.

Supervision status: Code 94060 calls for direct supervision. See to it that a doctor is present in the office suite and is readily available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the procedure.

Watch for chances to report 94664

Patients who make use of inhalers on a regular basis need to know that they are using the equipment right, especially when you are dealing with children. If the child drops in for a regular visit, enquire how they use the inhaler. Show them how to use it properly if required and go for 94664.

For more on common spirometry tests, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Onboard such a site, you can go for a CPT Assistant (http://www.supercoder.com/coding-references/code-connect)tool and stay informed.

2011 ICD 9 Codes Online: Radiology Coding to Witness 4 Key Aditions

ICD-9 Codes could hold important changes for Radiology Coder. Go for 2011 ICD 9 Codes Online it have much for radiology coding.

2011 ICD 9 codes online, ICD-9 2011 codes, Medical Coding

The 2011 ICD-9 codes will go into effect on October 1 this year. Read on to know more about these codes.
If you are a radiology coder, the next round of ICD-9 codes could hold important changes for you. Read on for a rundown on the new codes most relevant to radiologists, including a new option for retained magnetic metal fragments.

More specific ectasia codes

The proposed changes to ICD-9 2011 codes add four specific codes to aortic ectasia. These codes are among the most important changes for radiology coders as you may see that term in the findings of your radiologist. The wished-for 2011 codes are specific to aortic ectasia and differ based on anatomic site.

Keep a watch on Claudication’ in Stenosis Report

The proposed addition of 724.03 is another one of the key changes. The code refers to lumbar spinal stenosis, which happens to be a narrowing of the spinal canal.

Match new uterine codes to clinical class

If you code gynecological imaging, do not miss the proposed new codes for uterine abnormalities. So-called müllerian duct abnormalities can lead to infertility; however surgical correction is sometimes possible. Radiological imaging, normally MRI, confirms the diagnosis; as such the radiologist should document the specific type of abnormality in his findings. TheICD-9 2011 proposal increases the 752.3 range.

Review just-in retained fragment proposals

Over one-third of the proposed ‘V’ codes, which portray supplementary classification of factors influencing health status and contact with health services. Some of the codes describe retained fragments, which the radiologist may note in his findings.

Make Graft Coding Easy

Pay attention: Skip over codes for legs and zero in on foot codes.

With so many graft options, including those taken from cadavers, pigs, and newborns – correctly coding a skin graft procedure can puzzle you. If you want to narrow down the grafting field by matching definitions, product names, and treatment to CPT codes, you can take the help of a chart. When you do so, you will be able to sail through as far as coding your next graft claim is concerned.

Do not miss: Nothing will get your claim denied faster than using a CPT code not linked to the diagnosis code. Therefore, you should take care to avoid CPT codes for other body areas such as the legs, which are normally listed above the code for the feet for each type of graft.

Take note of: Be sure to review the payer’s local coverage determination (LCD) periodically to see to it that your office is in compliance for your state or region.

Point to remember: Site preparation, lesion excision, and supply HCPCS codes may also go for these services. For more on coding skin graft services, sign up http://www.supercoder.com/. When you sign up for one, you can see that coding skin graft services is just a walk in the park. Such a website will also offer you 2010 CPT codes online along with all updates and know how to guide a coder in every task and in every specialty. So go for one today and make your coding an easy affair.

Breathe New Life into Your Respiratory Coding With CPT 2010

If you flip through the Surgery/Respiratory System section of your CPT coding manual, you will see the coding committee has been hard at work adding to and revising your options. Find out the added cath removal code, the all new fibrinolytic agent instillation code, and the reshaped bronchoscopy descriptors so that your coding remains ship shape all through this year.

Put an end to your hunt for 32550’s removal code match

Till now, CPT has offered insertion code 32550, however you have been left in the lurch for removal, using either an E/M or unlisted code.

CPT 2010 added new code 32552 to solve this problem.

Tube trivia: In the beginning, when code 32550 was created, an indwelling tunneled pleural catheter with cuff was inserted for drainage and management of malignant pleural effusions at the end of a patient’s life; as such, the removal of the catheter wasn’t included in the valuation of 32550.

Do not fall for multiple 32561 unit temptation

CPT 2010 also adds two new codes to describe instilling a fibrinolytic agent. Remember that CPT divides them based on initial and subsequent day.

Important point: According to CPT guidelines, limit your 32561 coding to once on the initial day and limit 32562 to one unit on each subsequent treatment day. This rule holds true even if the doctor instills a fibrinolytic agent multiple times during the day. If you are having trouble getting the units correct, take a few minutes to create a reminder for yourself.

Bronchoscopy codes include fluro

You should be aware of the changes that CPT’s respiratory system should be aware of.

New code alert: Among the revised CPT codes are two new codes. First is 31626.

If your practice bears the cost of the markers, you can report them separately. For detailed information on CPT coding, sign up http://www.supercoder.com/.

General surgery CPT changes 2010: Keep the Skin in Integumentary

General surgery CPT changes 2010: New CPT 2010 musculoskeletal soft tissue tumor codes
from procedures better described by integumentary entries.

CPT codes, medical coding, CPT 2010

If you think every large lesion that extends deeper than the dermis is a soft tissue tumor, think again. Do not make an upcoding error that could land your practice in a soup. Here are some tips to ensure that you distinguish new CPT 2010 musculoskeletal soft tissue tumor codes from procedures better described by integumentary entries.
Take a clue from cancer source

Soft tissue tumor excision codes and skin cancer treatment codes are not interchangeable based on size or even depth of excision. With uncommon exceptions, you should use integumentary codes for skin cancers and save the new 20000 series soft tissue codes for lesions that don’t arise in the dermis.

Origin is important: The use the new excision codes, the tumor should stem from the musculoskeletal system, extend through the white fat subcutaneous layer and not be a tumor that originates in the skin.

You should follow text note: To see to it that you do not misuse the new CPT codes, CPT provides this instruction in the revised musculoskeletal system introduction. For radical resection of tumors of cutaneous origin, see 11600-+11646.

Allow cancer type to guide you

If your surgeon removes a malignant melanoma that extends into the muscle, should you make use of the new soft tissue tumor resection codes? Almost never. Even if the tumor is deep, majority of the time you should choose from the integumentary codes for a melanoma excision.

For more general surgery CPT changes 2010, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website.

How to Make Graft Coding an Easy Affair

In CPT Codes graft procedure can puzzle you. To make graft coding an easy affairs use 2010 CPT Codes Online.

2010 CPT Codes Online, CPT Codes, medical coding

Pay attention: Skip over codes for legs and zero in on foot codes.

With so many graft options, including those taken from cadavers, pigs, and newborns – correctly coding a skin graft procedure can puzzle you.

If you want to narrow down the grafting field by matching definitions, product names, and treatment to CPT codes, you can take the help of a chart.

When you do so, you will be able to sail through as far as coding your next graft claim is concerned.

Do not miss: Nothing will get your claim denied faster than using a CPT code not linked to the diagnosis code.

Therefore, you should take care to avoid CPT codes() for other body areas such as the legs, which are normally listed above the code for the feet for each type of graft.

Take note of: Be sure to review the payer’s local coverage determination (LCD) periodically to see to it that your office is in compliance for your state or region. Point to remember: Site preparation, lesion excision, and supply (HCPCS) codes may also go for these services. For more on coding skin graft services, sign up for a one-stop > Medical Coding website. When you sign up for one, you can see that coding skin graft services is just a walk in the park. Such a website will also offer you 2010 CPT codes onlinealong with all updates and know how to guide a coder in every task and in every specialty. So go for one today and make your coding an easy affair.

Start Thinking about ICD-10

The changeover date for ICD 10 codes is October 1, 2013; that’s really the final date for those of you that have familiarized yourselves with the Final Rule pertaining to ICD-10; however, there are a lot of things that must happen before then and I expect many of the payers may even need ICD 10 codes before then; as such, a sufficient amount of testing can take place.

Now it’s not too soon to start thinking about ICD 10 codes. When you are familiar with the changes, your transition will be easier. Obtain education and understanding early on so that you’ll be well-equipped. Begin by speaking with your doctors now about improving their clinical documentation detail which will be the most important aspect for the demand should be started before the change.

Medical coders should be involved when practices communicate with information system vendors about their plans for the new code implementation. Check out these examples of present ICD-9 versus future ICD 10 codes.

Where to start: This rundown based on ICD-10 2010 files will give you an idea of what to expect. But you must remember that your final ICD-10 code choice will depend on the codes guidelines in effect at that time as well as the physician’s specific documentation.

For more tips on ways to make the transition, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. When you sign up for one, you will have access to the ICD-10 Bridge that will allow you to crosswalk easily from ICD-9 to ICD-10. So sign up for one today and make a smooth transition.

CPT 2010: Gather Molecular Studies Preparation Pay

When your pathologist carries out sterile macroscopic dissection to prep tissue for molecular diagnostics tests, you did not have a way to capture the service prior to this. Take advantage of this new payment opportunity by learning when you can and cannot use the 2010 codes, how to document the service and what you need to know for correct billing.

Tip 1: Know the ‘Macro’ service

CPT 2010 introduces two new codes to describe surgical pathology tissue prep for some ancillary tests. These codes describe macroscopic examination and processing of the target tissue like a sentimental lymph node for non-microscopic molecular analysis.

The processing covers work like dissecting an appropriate portion of the tissue away from the main specimen and cutting and labeling thin sections under sterile conditions.

Tip 2: Apply codes to pre-analytic work

You shouldn’t report 88387 or +88388 when the pathologist retrospectively chooses tissue block for molecular analysis based on the initial slide review.

You have to think ‘pre-analytic and ‘macroscopic’ when deciding whether to use one of these codes. Early indications are that some labs are using them incorrectly if you are selecting tumor cells from paraffin embedded material or cutting sections from a block for send-out, that’s not covered by 88387 or +88388.

Tip 3: Ban 88387-88388 for microbiology or flow cytometry prep

According to CPT 2010, you shouldn’t go for 88387-88388 for tissue preparation for microbiologic cultures or flow cytometric studies.

That rules out reporting 88387 or +88388 as prep for any microbiology codes or 88182-88189.

Tip 4: Avoid 88387-88388 for Microscopy Prep

As the code descriptors specifically reference no-microscopic analytic studies, you shouldn’t report 88387 or +88388 for tissue prep for special stains or immunohistochemistry-based tumor morphometry analysis.

Tip 5: Go for codes with ancillary molecular diagnostics

According to the code definition, you should go for 88387 or +88388 for special tissue prep for “nucleic-acid based molecular studies".

For more on this and for free searchable online CPT codes, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Such a site will provide you with everything you need to know to code right for your practice.

Avoid Mistake when Coding Lung Volume Reduction Surgeries

Billing for lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) can get you payments as much as $1,441; however your coding has to be accurate to ensure payments.

LVRS is sometimes called reduction pneumoplasty (RP). It calls for an all-encompassing team approach that can only be delivered by an experienced team of thoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, and nurses who have specialization in complex lung disease.

Read the following coding tips for pulmonary practice and turn the situation in your favor.

Applying modifier 50 could mean trouble

The code for lung volume reduction is 32491. The issue of unilateral or bilateral surgery doesn’t apply on 32491 as you should assign 32491, irrespective of whether the thoracic surgeon carries out the procedure on one lung or two.

As such, there’s no need for modifier 50 to indicate a bilateral procedure or modifier 52 to reflect a unilateral procedure for a code that’s considered inherently bilateral.

If your documentation is lacking, you should prove medically necessity

Many payers cover LVRS, particularly for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with underlying severe emphysema. In order to be able to show 32491’s medical necessity, you should meet some medical guidelines, which differs from payer to payer. Nevertheless, the medical world agrees that a candidate for LVRS should have severe emphysema, disabling dyspnea and evidence of severe air trapping.

See to it that you include G codes

The surgery must be preceded and followed by a program of diagnostic and therapeutic services consistent with those provided in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) and designed to maximize the patient’s potential to undergo and recover from surgery successfully.

The program must cover a 6- to 10-week series of at least 16, and no more than 20 preoperative sessions, each lasting for a minimum of two hours. It must also include at least 6 and not more than 10, postoperative sessions, each lasting a minimum of two hours, within eight to nine weeks of the LVRS.

Source URL :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-pulmonology-coding-alert/surgery-coding-avoid-making-critical-mistakes-when-coding-lung-volume-reduction-surgeries-article

2010 CPT Codes Online: Molecular Diagnostics Prep Pay Deserve

If you neglect to report multiple fractures, it could cost you $500 per metatarsal.

Lisfranc joint injuries can pop up in just about any patient, right from athletes to the elderly. Scoop up all of the multiple repair payments you have earned and learn when accurate modifiers can pep up revenue with this inside look at Lisfranc repair coding.

Code for each fracture repair

Remember to treat a repair to each fractured metatarsal bone as one unit.

When the podiatrist uses the common open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) technique to repair a fracture to the Lisfranc area, go for 28485.

Do not miss: Code one unit or 28485 for each metatarsal fracture. Based on the anatomy, you would normally report three units of 28485. Add modifier 59 to 28485 beginning with the second line item.

Reimbursement: CPT carries 13.89 physician work RVUs, according to the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. That comes down to $501.14 per metatarsal based on the updated 2010 national conversion factor of $36.0791.

A note of caution: Remember that 28485 represents fractures in separate metatarsals, and not multiple fractures within the same metatarsals. If one metatarsal contains multiple fractures, go for only one unit of 28485.

For more on this, register yourself for a one-stop medical coding website. When you sign up for one, you will get all updates on the molecular diagnostics prep pay you deserve along with all 2010 CPT codes online. Such a site will supercharge your ethical reimbursements through codesets, content and community. So sign up for one medical coding website today and see the difference it brings to your practice.

New Edits Switch Columns : NCCI Edis Neurology

The latest CCI edits that went into effect on July 1, 2010 have several ‘switched edit’ pairs of neurology codes you should check. If your neurologist carries out pain management injections, you will also want to incorporate changes for some medications and procedures. Read on for more information on NCCI edits neurology.

Change columns for +95920 and others

When CCI pairs codes as mutually exclusive procedures, you cannot report those two procedures during the same patience encounter. Be sure to submit the Column 1 code of the pair as submitting the Column 2 choice can lead to denials.

New versions of CCI sometimes include a few edits that reverse the Column 1 and Column 2 codes. Four current neurology code pairs in the latest CCI edits (http://www.supercoder.com/coding-tools/cci-edits-checker/)fall into this group. As such you should update your software or coding notes accordingly.

Whether you submit both codes for the encounter depends on whether CCI assigns a "0" or "1" modifier indicator to the pair.

"0" modifier indicator means you should never report both codes together while "1" modifier indicator means you can report both codes under certain circumstances and with enough supporting documentation.

EEG, pump refills appear in NME Edits

Column 1/Column 2 edits, also referred to as non-mutually exclusive edits (NMEs) include pairs of procedures your physician could reasonably carry out during the same session. Whether you report both procedures, however, depends on the modifier indicator for the pair.

For more updates on NCCI edits neurology, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. When you sign up for one, you will get updates on all the 16,800 edits and will be able to report procedures. So sign up for one today!

Modifiers used with HCPCS Codes

Thanks to two modifiers, at least one aspect of dealing with ABN forms is about to get a bit easier. CMS now offers you two HCPCS Level 2 modifiers to distinguish between voluntary and required uses of liability codes.

Know when you require an ABN with this piece of advice

When your physician provides a service that Medicare does not cover, your practice must provide an ABN to the patient. The patient should then examine and complete the form before your providers administer that service or procedure.

When you have a patient sign an ABN, you also need to use the right modifiers on your claim. ABN modifiers inform the Medicare carrier that you have an ABN on file for services that will not be covered.

Fortunately, modifiers GA and GX should add more tools to your belt that’ll help you fend off denials.

Do not waver on modifier GA use

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services redefined modifier GA to be a waiver of liability statement. You should only append modifier GA to report when a required ABN was issued for a service and shouldn’t be reported in association with any other liability-related modifier and should continue to be submitted with covered charges.

For more on this and for further information on modifiers used with HCPCS code, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. When you get onboard such a site, you will get a thorough and detailed description of an individual CPT, HCPCS and ICD-9 code along with all HCPCS modifiers.

Boost your Mastoidectomy Coding

If you have been stumped while coding a tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy, you're not alone. The similar looking codes could baffle anyone in the coding world. The important thing is to memorize which codes represent a wall up and down approach, and identifying an ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR).

Canal wall up with OCR preserves canal, removes Ossicles
The hallmark of a canal wall up mastoidectomy is preserving intact the bony posterior external auditory canal.

Description: The surgeon drills the cortex overlying the mastoid bone, identifies the tegmen, signmoid sinus, and sinodural angle, and then enters Koerner's septum. Once in the antrum, the surgeon exposes the attic and thins down the external auditory canal wall.
There are two methods of canal wall up tympanoplasties depending on whether it covers OCR. In order to find out whether the surgeon carried out OCR, look for mention in the op note about the use of a graft, prosthesia or incus interpositioning.

For more on this and to find out the CPT codes for a wall up approach with OCR, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Such a site will help you distinguish wall up, wall down, OCRs to boost mastoidectomy coding apart from providing any information relating to this field. When you sign up for one, such a site will offer you online free CPT code access. You can also have access to a CPT Assistant that will help you in your coding efforts. You can even drop in to chat with coders and billers in each specialty as well as with expert editors and moderators. So sign up

http://www.supercoder.com/

Code Lookup HCPCS: Number of Units Count in Botulinum Toxin Reporting

Dysport is one of three options your neurologist may use if he uses a botulinum toxin to interrupt pain signals in a patient's limbs, neck or back. Each one of these drugs has its own J code; Dysport's HCPCS code happens to be J0586.

When reporting J0586, remember that the number of drug units injected in important to coding. Therefore, if your neurologist injected 100 units of onabotulinumtoxinA into a patient's right splenius capitis muscle and 100 units into the right sternocleidomastoid muscle, you should report 40 billing units of service for J0586 - i.e 200 divided by 5 or the total number of units of the toxin injected separated by the number of units described by the HCPCS code.

Prior to 2010, you reported Dysport using J3490. It comes in two preparations: a single-use, sterile 500-unit vial normally used for cervical dystonia and a single-use, sterile 300-unit vial commonly used for cosmetic reasons in treatment of glabellar lines.

Do not forget though: Your neurologist should clearly document the amount of botulinum toxin injected and the specific muscles injected. If there's any unavoidable wastage, there should also be documentation of the specific amount wasted. You will report the wasted amount using the modifier JW.

The reason behind it is that Botulinum toxin's shelf life is normally considered to be only four hours after reconstituting or opening; as such, the rest should be discarded.
Code lookup HCPCS: If you want to know more about Dysport and do a HCPCS code look up, sign up for a one-stop Medical Coding Website.

What HCPCS Code for AVA Cream

As a dermatology coder, you will be faced with various challenges relating to your coding; even when it comes to Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), you will come face to face with various HCPCS coding challenges.

For instance you may find yourself bowled over by a question such as this: When the dermatologist carries out photodynamic therapy, can you code separately for the Levulan Kerastick? Do we have a HCPCS code( Source "http://www.supercoder.com/hcpcs-codes") for this supply?

You should go for a HCPCS code (Aminolevulinic acid HCl for topical administration, 20%, single unit dosage form [354 mg]) for the supply of 5-aminolevulinic acid cream (also called ALA) and sold under the brand Levulan Kerastick. Most payers will give money back for the agent, which reacts under light to destroy lesions during the photodynamic therapy procedure. But you should make an effort to check with your local contractor to ensure it will recognize and reimburse for the HCPCS code.

To know about what HCPCS code to apply for AVA cream as well as know more about HCPCS coding and ways to wriggle out of tough coding situations, sign up for a one-stop medical coding guide. When you do so, the site will provide you the indexing of HCPCS codes as well as CPT or ICD codes. No wonder such a site provides very comprehensive and powerful keyword search functionality. Such a site does not pinch your pocket too as it can be had for a small amount.

So go sign up for one today and give more bones to your coding!

CPT Assistant: Which code for autism screenings?

Autism is a disorder of development, which is not easy to detect in very young children. But children who get early intervention have improved long-term prognoses. Keeping this in mind, the Modified – Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M–CHAT) was made to screen 1076 children. Results of the same indicated that autism is a promising instrument for early detection.

M-CHAT is an expanded US version of the original CHAT from the UK. The M-CHAT comprises twenty three questions using the original nine from the CHAT as its basis. The goal of M-CHAT is to improve sensitivity.

While coding, you may come across questions such as this:

Is there a CPT code for administering the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) screening and do you need to include a modifier here?

If questions such as this are a regular feature in your coding career, sign up for a one-stop Medical Coding website you sign up for one, you will have access to CPT Assistant(http://www.supercoder.com/coding-references/code-connect) as well as CPT Assistant back issues (1990-2009 articles) that will help you get information about every applicable CPT code. What’s more you can stay updated with the latest CPT news straight from the AMA connected to your CPT code searches without even leaving this one-stop coding website. Such a website does not cost your pocket dear too. So sign up for one today and get answers to all your CPT coding queries under one roof.

When you use this tool, you’ll soon realize that your medical coding career is heading for the better.

Take CPT Assistant to Boost Contact Lens Revenue

Getting insurance claims paid for prescriptive medical devices like contact lenses can be a tricky affair. Insurance carriers are not quick to reimburse for these, however by staying away from a few common errors, your contact lens claims stand a better chance of reaping rewards. Here's a quick rundown on ways to avoid pitfalls that you may face when filing a contact lens claim.

When an ophthalmologist, rather than a technician provides contact lens prescription and fitting, you should select codes like 92310. According to CPT guidelines, you should cover optical and physical characteristic specifications like power, size, curvature, flexibility, and gas-permeability, in the contact lens prescription service. According to the CPT manual, you should not consider a part of the general ophthalmological services.

On the other hand, contact lens fitting includes instructing and training the wearer. According to the CPT manual, it also includes the incidental lens revision during the training period.

And if a tech provides the contact lens services, you should look at codes like 92314.

You should be alert to whether you should bill contact lens procedures as bilateral or unilateral. According to CPT, code 92310 specifies "both eyes," so if you only do one eye, report 92310 with modifier 52 (Reduced services).

According to CPT guidelines, you may include contact lens supply as part of the fitting service, or you may report supply individually. To report a separate supply code, see V2500-V2599 series (Contact lens ...), which describes the materials you use for the case.

In order to report the follow-up of successfully fitted extended-wear lenses, you should bill it as a general service.

It's important that the ophthalmologist requires to document the right measurements for correct contact lens fitting, and document their findings for base curve, diameter, and power of the lens.

To know more about which CPT code is applicable for which service, just sign up for a one-stop medical coding guide. When you sign up for one, you can land the right CPT code with the help of ‘code look up' and CPT Assistant tools.

Get the New Conversion Factor

A fee schedule is an all-inclusive list of fees used by Medicare to pay physicians or other providers. This complete list is used to reimburse a physician and or for that matter other providers on a fee-for-service basis. The CMS comes up with fee schedules for physicians, ambulance services, clinical laboratory services, durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and other such supplies.

As a medical coder you have to be up to date on the current fee schedule. A good way to stay tuned to the current fee schedule is by signing up for a one-stop medical coding guide. Such a site provides you with a tool ‘Fee Schedule' to determine code payments, code claim submission order and modifier usage.

In fact industry leaders and most coders depend on such a Fee Schedule to deliver the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule details. Physicians and coding specialists in offices, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, urgent care centers, emergency department and other segments of the medical coding industry are taking up the Fee Schedule tool.

When you go for one, it'll show you relative value unit (RVU), CPT/HCPCS global information, Medicare code status, some applicable modifiers for a code like 51, 50, 80 and yes the latest on the new conversion factor. So take the help of a ‘Fee schedule' tool today!

New Conversion Factor

With an increase of 2.2 percent on 36.0791, the new conversion factor is certainly taking the coding community for a spin. But Supercoder comes to your rescue by providing you with the actual value after the increase much before everyone else!

Dispel All Myths Associated With ICD 10 Codes

The ICD 10 implementation date is far away, but you will stand in good stead if you do away with the myths associated with ICD 10 codes. Here are some myths about this coding system that you would want to know:

1) You will have an ICD-10 grace period. However the truth is according to CMS, the deadline for using ICD-10 is firm. So whether you work in a hospital lab, independent lab or physician office, the 2013 deadline certainly applies to you. The agency will not accept ICD-9 codes for any dates of service on or after October 1, 2013.

2) You will find ICD-10 electronically only. This is not true as you can not only find these electronically but also get printed ICD 10 CM code books, which are of a normal, manageable size.

3) You will need to overhaul your documentation practices. This is not true as much of the detail contained in ICD-10-CM is already in the medical record documentation.

4) ICD-10 will not be user-friendly. One of the bigger myths pertaining to ICD 10 codes is that the increased number of codes will make ICD-10 impossible to use. A higher number of codes do not necessarily increase the complexity of the coding. In fact, greater specificity and clinical accuracy should in actuality make ICD 10 codes easier to use.

5) Your preparation can wait. Well, you don't require to start your in-depth training until six to nine months prior to implementation; however you should prepare in other ways now.

For more updates and tips and ways to make the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website and breathe easy.

ICD-9 2011 Adding New Options

When the radiologist does not document a definitive diagnosis, you have to hunt down the right codes for the signs or symptoms that lead to the exam. ICD-9 2011 is looking to add some new options to the hunt.

These all-new codes may justify medical necessity for the diagnostic imaging services from the ordering provider.

Source URL :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-radiology-coding-alert/icd-9-2011-size-up-new-sign-symptom-and-other-codes-supporting-radiology-claims-article

Here are some potential new options for jaw pain, hemoptysis, and more that go into effect on October 1, this year, if the codes make it into the final version released in the fall. Of the proposed signs and symptoms codes may be the expanded listing for hemoptysis which refers to coughing blood.

The general code (786.3, Hemoptysis) could become any of the following: 786.30, 786.31, 786.39.

The expansion resulted from the Centers for Disease Control’s request for a code specific to AIPHI for tracking purposes. You may see another new code when the radiologist does not document specific findings.

Radiology exams encompass the entire body; as such, the ICD-9 code you need could be anywhere in the manual. This means you will benefit from reviewing the entire range of new codes.

To have access to all the changes to ICD-9 codes, the best way to go about is by signing up for a one-stop medical coding website. Such a website offers you official descriptors and guidelines for ICD-9 codes and also feeds you in with the latest ICD-9 changes. This reference tool will help you scan all 2011 ICD 9 codes online without wasting your time. So go for one and work smarter in achieving your reimbursement goals.

Make the Transition to ICD-10 Codes

If you are not too keen to know about how the ICD-9 codes in "Add two more ICD-9 weapons to your diagnostic test arsenal" crosswalk to ICD-10, may be you should be.

The transition deadline for ICD-10 codes is October 1, 2013. And that's really the drop-dead date for those of you that have made themselves familiar with the Final Rule pertaining to ICD-10 codes. However, there are a lot of things that must take place before then. And you may expect many of the payers to even need ICD-10 codes prior to that so that a sufficient amount of testing can take place.

So if you are thinking about choosing vendors, it's time to speak up. Today is not too soon to start thinking about ICD-10 codes(http://www.supercoder.com/icd-10/). The more familiar you are with the changes, the easier your transition will be.

You should educate yourself and understand early so that you will be well equipped. Begin by speaking to your physicians about improving their clinical documentation detail which'll be the most important aspect for them and should be started before the change.

Medical coders should also be involved when practices communicate with "information system vendors (for EMR claims processing and the like) about their plans for the new code set implementation.

They should also sign up for one-stop medical coding websites where you'll go to and get all possible information pertaining to ICD-10 codes. What's more, such a website will provide you with just the right tool to make an easy transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10.

CPT & HCPCS 2010 Code Look Up Tools

Your CPT and HCPCS codes can sometimes get on your nerves. Of all the important changes this year, chemodenervation figures high on the list, with headache-inducing bundling edits. To add to it, if your neurologist uses a pre-configured nerve conduction study (NCS) as the basis for a standard NCS, you will want to watch out for one code in particular.

Here are some questions to test your 2010 neurology code change knowledge: Take this and give your neurology coding worries a rest.

1. According to CCI edits, when reporting 64614, which injection codes you cannot report even if you use a modifier.

2. When the neurologist injects 100 units of Dysport, which code would you go for? And how many times do you report it?

3. Which code would you report for a pre-configured nerve conduction study?

To help you resolve your bundling issues for chemodenervation, sign up for a one-stop medical coding guide. When you sign up for one, you will get all the answers to these questions without making much effort. Such a site provides you with CPT Code, HCPCS lookup(http://www.supercoder.com/hcpcs-codes) tools to help you in your code searches and to code right for your practice.

This online reference tool comes loaded with official descriptors and guidelines for CPT, HCPCS and other codes. It also provides you with easy-to-understand updates and instructions to guide a coder and biller in every task, in every specialty. So sign up for one today and see how easy it is to stay tuned to all the changes taking place around your specialty.

Four Key ICD 9 Additions In You Radiologist’s Findings

October 1, 2010 is just round the corner, and as a coder you will stand in good stead if you know them before hand. So whether your patients present with cardiologic, orthopedic, or gynecologic complaints, the next round of ICD-9 codes could have important changes waiting for you.

If you are a radiology coder, you can find the following changes.

There will be more specific Estasia codes

The ensuing changes to ICD 9 2011 add four codes specific to aortic ectasia. These codes are among the most important changes for radiology coders as you may see that term in your radiologist’s findings.

Ectasia means dilation or enlargement, and aortic ectasia normally refers to enlargement that’s milder than an aneurysm. However, ICD 9 2010 doesn’t differentiate ectasia from aneurysm, indexing aortic ectasia to 441.9 and 441.5.

Keep a watch for ‘Claudication’ in Stenosis report

Another key change is the proposed addition of 724.03 (Spinal stenosis, lumbar region, with neurogenic claudication). The code refers to lumbar spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal. Neurogenic cluadication is a commonly used expression for a syndrome associated with important lumbar spinal stenosis leading to compression of the cauda equine (lumbar nerves).

Match just-in uterine codes to clinical class If you report gynecological imaging, do not miss the proposed new codes for uterine abnormalities. So-called müllerian duct abnormalities can lead to infertility; however surgical correction is sometimes possible. Radiological imaging, normally MRI, confirms the diagnosis; as such the radiologist should document the specific type of abnormality in his findings. The ICD 9 2011 proposal expands the 752.3 range.

Assess new retained fragment proposals Over one-third of the proposed codes are “V" codes, which explain “supplementary classification of factors impacting health status and contact with health services. A few of the codes describe retained fragments, which the radiologist may note in his findings.

CCI 16.2: Halt Routinely Coding Indwelling Ureteral Stent Insertions

Round three of the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits 16.2 went into effect on July 1, 2010. This time, CMS CCI edits will potentially wreak havoc on your indwelling ureteral stent reimbursement.

There are 16,843 new edit pairs, bringing the total number of active pairs to 653,718. Here are some changes that will impact your urology practice. The biggest change for your practice will be the bundling of column 2 code 50605 into all ureteral surgical codes and all urinary diversion procedure codes. The just-in CCI edits indicate that CPT code 50605 added to the above particular procedure codes won’t be a reimbursable service.

But with the new bundling edits noted above, 50605 will only be paid when appended with modifier 59, and only if specific criteria for use of modifier 59 are met. You should not bill CPT code 50605 routinely.

The latest CMS CCI edits also ties J0670 into injection code 51600, urethral catheterization codes 51701-51703, irrigation and instillation codes 51700 and 51720, aspiration of bladder codes 51100- 51102, prostate biopsy code 55700, in addition to several additional urological codes. The modifier indicator for these bundles is 1 also. These bundles reinforce the general Medicare coding policy that anesthesia provided by the attending doctor/surgeon whether it be topical or local infiltration is not a reimbursable service.

Source Url :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-urology-coding-alert/cci-16-2-update-stop-routinely-coding-indwelling-ureteral-stent-insertions-thanks-to-cci-16-2-article

ICD-10 Bridge Makes Your Coding Life Easy

ICD-10-CM incorporates much greater clinical detail and specificity than its processor. With this, the modern classification system will provide much better data required for measuring the quality, safety and efficacy of care, conducting research, epidemiological studies and clinical trials, and lots more. It will also improve clinical, financial and administrative performance.

In addition to all this, there are a lot of other changes in ICD-10-CM. The added changes that can be found in ICD-10-CM are: injuries are grouped by anatomical site rather than by type of injury. What’s more, category restructuring and code reorganization have taken place in a number of ICD-10-CM chapters, resulting in the classification of certain disease and disorders contrary to ICD-9-CM. The new system will help prevent and detect health care fraud and abuse and also help track public health and risks.

To find additional information about ICD-10-CM and ways to bridge from ICD-9 to ICD-10 codes, sign up for one-stop medical coding websites. When you sign up for one, you’ll have access to code look up tools like the ICD-10 Bridge (ICD-9 to ICD-10). This tool tells you the CMS suggested code that maps an ICD-9-CM volume 2 code to an ICD-10-CM Volume 2 code and vice versa. You should also check if a more specific code could apply.

For instance, suppose you want to map an ICD-9-Cm code 642.71. When you enter this code in the tool, you’ll get the following ICD-10-CM codes:

O11.1 Pre-existing hypertensive disorder with superimposed proteinuria, first trimester

O11.2 Pre-existing hypertensive disorder with superimposed proteinuria, second trimester

O11.3 Pre-existing hypertensive disorder with superimposed proteinuria, third trimester

So what are you waiting for? Go sign up for such a website today and see how it makes your coding life so much easy. When you do so, the October 1, 2013 transition may not look that difficult and well within your reach.

Explore your ICD-10 options

The ICD-10 deadline is not too far off. Although you should not start your intensive in-depth ICD-10 training until six to nine months prior to implementation, you can prepare yourself in other ways now.

To gear up for this, you should start identifying medical record documentation improvement opportunities. The new coding system will not require you to improve your documentation, however, the higher the quality of your documentation, the easier it’ll be to avoid using unspecified codes and the faster you will find the right ICD-10 code(http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/icd-10-coding-alert).

To add to it, you can start learning the basic structure, organization and unique features of ICD-10 and boost your knowledge of biomedical concepts so you will not be tripped up by more enhanced code definitions and descriptions.

One question that’s top most on everyone’s mind is whether you can start testing and using ICD-10 codes before October 1, 2013 if your practice is ready. The answer is yes you can start with some internal testing of ICD-10 and also of your 5010 system. However what you cannot do is to submit ICD-10 codes to any payers for services carried out prior to October 1, 2013. It’s also recommended that you work with software vendors way before time to confirm that no issues will exist with claims submissions using ICD-10.

Also questions like whether CMS will revise the CMS-1500 form to accommodate ICD-10’s longer codes will occupy your mind, among other things.

If such questions cloud your mind, it’s time you took the help of a reliable source of information. A good way to stay abreast is by signing up for a one-stop medical coding guide which will provide you with all possible answers.

Stay Tuned With Medical Coding Website and Avoid 99221 Denials

When the initial hospital care that you used to bill to Medicare using a consultation code does not add up to the lowest-level inpatient care code, what do you do? This has been the million dollar question since the first day of this year when Medicare stopped accepting consultation codes.

CMS offers a solution for when your neurosurgeon’s initial hospital care does not meet the requirements of 99221.

Payers should overlook initial/subsequent mismatch

According to CMS, even when the provider documents an initial visit, Medicare contractors should not find fault with providers who report a subsequent hospital care CPT code in cases where the medical record appropriately shows that the work and medical record rightly demonstrate that the work and medical necessity requirements are met for reporting a subsequent hospital care code.

Instructing folks to report a CPT code that does not exactly match the service meant that CMS reps were barraged with questions about the topic during an Open Door Forum (ODF).

To avoid 99221 denials by understanding how former consult measures up and to stay tuned to the latest CPT news doing the rounds, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. When you sign up for one, you can do a free CPT codes online lookup to help you in your code searches. Onboard such a medical coding website, you can also take the help of CPT Assistant to help you with your CPT coding. So go sign up for one today and see how your practice’s revenue looks up.

Ultrasound Coded With Modifier 26

Reimbursement codes normally include payment for the use of the facilities as well as for the physician’s professional services. If a physician provides services with the help of someone else’s facilities, you need to add modifier 26 to the billing code. For instance, if a physician tends to a patient in an emergency room, the hospital will bill for the facility fee, while the doctor will bill his service with a modifier 26.

Some procedures are a mixture of a physician component (Modifier 26) and a technical component (Modifier TC). When the physician component or technical component is done by separate physicians, you need to add Modifier 26 or Modifier TC to the submitted CPT code and HCPCS code(http://www.supercoder.com/hcpcs-codes). A code is reimbursable with a Modifier 26 or Modifier TC components. Codes submitted with Modifier 26 or Modifier TC when there’re no separate RVUs assigned will be part of the global reimbursement.

"Is ultrasound coded with modifier 26?"

The answer is yes; ultrasound can be coded with modifier 26, TC (technical component) or without modifier. It depends upon the situation and place where this was carried out, but 26 is used mostly.

Here’s a scenario: A doctor carries out a breast biopsy with ultrasound guidance at a surgery center. The radiologist carries out the ultrasound during the procedure and the doctor dictates in the operative report that the ultrasound was done and where it showed the mass was. Can the physician bill for the ultrasound with a 26 and if so does a separate radiology report have to be dictated to bill with a 26?

For answers to questions such as these, sign up for a one-stop medical coding guide. Such a site will provide you with modifier guidelines and all possible information that you need to know about modifiers.

Tips to Help you Capture Percutaneous, Kyphoplasty, Vertebroplasty Payment

If you do not know the difference between kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty, you and practice are in for denials and lost reimbursement. Kyphoplasty is similar to vertebroplasty, however the two are not identical and you should not code them in the same way. Boost your coding for these common neurosurgical procedures by following these five tips:

Distinguish Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty Codes

CPT offers three vertebroplasty and three kyphoplasty codes. The spinal level on which the neurosurgeon carries out the procedure determines which code you will go for. The vertebroplasty codes cover thoracic, lumbar, and each additional thoracic or lumbar vertebral body.

Base your primary code on spinal location

When reporting either vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, you must choose a code to describe the ‘primary level’ where the surgeon carries out the procedure. CPT divides the procedures into thoracic and lumbar as noted in the code descriptors above.

Tackle multi-level procedures with add-on codes

If your surgeon treats more than one spinal level during the same operative session, report each additional level using add-on codes for vertebroplasty or for kyphoplasty. The primary code describes the injection, the physician’s approach and closure and the surgery’s global fee.

Stick with an unlisted code for cervical procedures

You may have noticed that one section of the spine is missing in the CPT code offerings for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures: the cervical vertebra(e). However your neurosurgeon may carry out these procedures. Most payers recommend that you go for 22899 for cervical vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, although you should check with your payer prior to billing to be sure about individual guidelines.

Source Code :- http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-neurosurgery-coding-alert/kyphoplasty-vs-vertebroplasty-4-tips-help-you-easily-capture-percutaneous-kyphoplasty-vertebroplasty-payment-article

Tips for Concurrent Care Coding Pulmonologist

Concurrent care means two or more doctors, normally of different specialties, work in tandem to manage the same patients care. Each doctor must manage a different aspect of the patients care, and each doctor’s services must meet the requirements of medical necessity.

Concurrent care coding: pulmonologist and allergist

The allergy season oftentimes presents the tight spot of when and how both an allergist as well as pulmonologist can go for services for the same patient. Reimbursement for concurrent care to tend to conditions such as extrinsic asthma, acute bronchitis is possible.

Make yourself familiar with Medicare’s slant

Medicare reimburses for concurrent care when doctors provide services more extensive than consultations and when both doctors play a key role in the patient’s ongoing care.

In order to get paid in a concurrent care scenario, you must be able to justify having two related specialties on board.

Here are two thumb rules to help ensure reimbursement for concurrent care:

1) Diagnosis: Verify that the diagnosis support the medical necessity of involving two specialists in the patient’s care

2) Unique services: Clarify the care both physicians provided to avoid any misunderstanding that the pulmonologist or for that matter allergist alone assumed total care for all presenting conditions.

If you want to get answers to questions such as this, "what is concurrent care?" and know more about concurrent care coding, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. When you sign up for one, you will stay on top of all information relating to this and get all the help you need in your daily reimbursement challenges.

Tackle ICD-9 Tips Procedure

The radiologist made use of jugular vein access and advanced the catheter through the vena cava into the hepatic vein. She advanced a needle through the vein wall and into the liver tissue to arrive at a portal vein branch. With a balloon catheter, she dilated the passage the needle created and placed a stent to keep the passage open and allow the blood to flow from the portal system. Documentation shows pre- and post-pressures and calculated gradients as well as hepatic venography.
The diagnosis is bleeding esophageal varices caused by alcoholic cirrhosis. What CPT and ICD 9 codes should you apply in this case? Code 37182 is the only CPT code you need to describe inserting the shunt under imaging guidance. Give attention to the part of the code definition that starts with ‘includes’ and you will witness that CPT intended this to be an all-inclusive code for tips, procedures, including imaging guidance. For the diagnosis, you should first go for 571.2. After this, add 456.20 for the bleeding esophageal varices. ICD 9 codes online, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. When you sign up for one, you will get a better idea of what CPT and ICD 9 codes to use in situations such as this. Such a Medical Coding website will offer you official descriptors and guidelines for CPT and ICD 9 codes in addition to updates and instructions to guide a coder in every task and in every specialty. When you get onboard such a website, you will also get to interact with an online community that’ll help you in your reimbursement challenges! So it certainly pays to be part of such a website.

Does your Tumor Excisions Measure Up?

With effect from the first of this year, your general surgery practice saw 72 new and revised codes for soft tumor excisions and resections. Read on and find out how location, size, depth and malignancy interact to help you choose the right code from CPT’s new soft-tissue tumor matrix.

Source URL :-http://www.supercoder.com/coding-newsletters/my-general-surgery-coding-alert/cpt-2010-make-sure-your-tumor-excisions-measure-up-starting-jan-1-98733-article

You should not forget about documentation: Until and unless your general surgeon documents the new criteria, you will be stuck reporting lesser codes and getting lesser pay in the process. The key is to have a conscientious surgeon who’ll be sure to dictate these findings in the operative report so that the coder is successful in utilizing them.

Here are four tips to see to it that you choose the right code from the 72 soft tumor code choices.

Let body site lead selection criteria

Fascia divides the codes

Malignancy leads to ‘Radical’ choice

The final factor is tumor size

For more information on this particular topic and to get more tips on general surgery practice coding, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. When you get onboard such a site, you can use the Surgical CPT code lookup tool to help you land the right code from among the 72 soft tumor code choices. Not just this, on signing up for one, you will have access to an entire treasure trove of medical coding information, tool sets, articles, online community of coders, and lots more. So go for one today and see your practice’s revenue soar. 

Medicare ICD 9 Codes 2011: Expect Changes to Jaw Pain

When the radiologist does not document a definitive diagnosis, you have to figure out the right codes for the signs and symptoms that lead to the exam. What’s more, ICD-9 2011 wants to add some all-new options to the hunt. These new codes may justify medical necessity for the diagnostic imaging services from the ordering provider.

You can take a look at potential new options for jaw pain, hemoptysis, and more that could go into effect on Oct. 1, 2010, if the codes make it into the final version released in the fall. The most vital of the proposed signs and symptoms codes may be the expanded listing for hemoptysis, which refers to coughing up blood.

Yet another proposed new code you may use when the radiologist does not document specific findings is 784.92.

Scan all changes

Radiology exams cover the entire body; as such, the ICD-9 code you require could be anywhere in the manual. That reality means you will take advantage from reviewing the entire range of new codes.

For more updates on Medicare ICD 9 codes for 2011, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. When you sign up for one, you will get to know all the sign, symptom and other codes that you need to know to code right for your practice. Such a site also offers you official descriptors and guidelines for ICD-9 codes and also provides you with the latest ICD-9 code changes. This reference tool is a great way to stay tuned to all the ICD 9 changes that keep taking place in the coding industry.

Anesthesia codes 2010: New category III codes

This July comes with announcements pertaining to new Category III codes. As such, prepare now for new transforaminal epidural and hypothermia codes just going into effect or that you will use starting January 1, 2011.

You have to start using new Transforaminal choices

The AMA released four new transforaminal injection codes in January which went into effect on July 1. As such, you have to update your systems accordingly.

The additions now give coders particular choices for epidural steroid injections.

Different techniques changes codes

The new codes apply when the doctor uses ultrasound guidance while administering transforaminal epidural injections. But when your provider opts for fluoroscopy or CT guidance, other codes apply.

Purpose: The new codes help balance out +99135 because of the complications associated with newborn care. Reporting the new codes 0260T or 0261T gives a clearer picture of the situation than your past option of +99135 with modifier 22.

To get the latest updates on the just-in codes and other anesthesia codes 2010, sign up for a one-stop medical coding guide. When you sign up for one, you will get free CPT coding online and get all updates on all new transforaminal choices that go into effect on January 1 next year. Such a website will offer you official descriptors and guidelines for ICD 9, CPT and HCPCS codes(http://www.supercoder.com/hcpcs-codes) along with updates and instructions. Onboard such a site, you will also have access to an online community of coders that will help you in your daily reimbursement challenges. So go for one today and see how your practice’s revenue heads for the better!

CMS CCI edits 16.2: Avoid Extra Tissue Prep Charge for Micro and Flow

The latest Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits 16.2 became effective on July 1. If you are a pathology coder, this piece of information will certainly stand you in good stead.

CPT 2010 opened the door to charges for sterile macroscopic tissue dissection before molecular diagnostics tests, however, not prior to microbiology or flow cytometry. In order to ensure you got the message, the newest version of Medicare CCI edits adds 55 edit pairs minimizing how you should use these codes.

According to CPT 2010, you should not use 88387-88388"for tissue preparation for microbiologic cultures."This rules out reporting 88387 or +88388 in addition to microbiology cultures from tissue sources."

The latest CMS CCI edits substantiates that coding advice by bundling 88387 and +88388 as a component of a wide array bacterial culture codes.

The edits also add pairs to restrict using 88387 or +88388 with cultures for other organisms:

In addition to bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi, the latest CMS CCI edits also verify that you should not list a viral culture 87250-87255 in addition to 88387 and +88388.

For more on the latest CMS CCI edits 16.2, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Registering yourself for one will mean you have all the CCI code updates right at your finger tips, that too without shelling out much from your pocket. Inside such a one-stop guide, you will have get have access to reimbursement tools like CCI edit alerts that will certainly aid you in getting your CCI coding right every time.

New edits Bundle Paravertebral Facets with all Anesthesia

The latest CMS CCI edits 16.2 that went into effect on July 1 this year includes 16,843 new edits pairs. If you are an anesthesia and pain management coder, you certainly cannot afford to miss any of the changes as the CCI edits this time contain plenty of anesthesia and pain management pairs you should check and immediately.

Other work covers Paravertebral Facet Injection

Although the present CPT book does not include them, you could start using various new codes for paravertebral facet joint injections. Now CCI edits bundle two of the new codes with every anesthesia code and lots of nerve destruction procedures. The paravertebral injection codes affected are 0213T, 0216T.

Source URL :-

Mutually Exclusive Edits also hit 0213T-0218T

Paravertebral facet joint injection codes 0213T-0218T come into play as part of ME edits as well. This quarter's edits pairs each choice with corresponding codes involving fluoroscopy or CT guidance. Each edit carries a "0" modifier indicator; as such you cannot use modifier 59 to override the bundling.

Steer clear of separate Mepivacaine HCL

Your provider may rely on Mepivacaine HCL for nerve or tendon injections; however you can no longer report the medication for some procedures separately.

For the latest CCI edits 2010 round three updates, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Such a site will provide you with everything that you need to know about the latest CMS CCI edits. When you get onboard such a website, you will get reimbursement tools like CCI edit alerts that will help you in your CCI coding.