Get Ahead on MPFS, MRI, and ABN Changes

Don't omit the proposal to expand the MPPR starting from technical to professional payment.

As if imaging practices didn't get sufficient bad news in 2011, CMS's payment proposals for 2012 show the situation could get even worse. Look out for the proposed fee schedule changes, as well as news for MRI and Advance Beneficiary Notices (ABNs). Read on for expert radiology medical coding information and take a step closer towards accurate and profitable radiology coding.

1. Concentrate on Possible Imaging Fee Cuts

CMS released its planned Medicare Physician Fee Schedule(MPFS) for 2012. The 621-page document proposes a look into how the agency organizes its relative value unit (RVU) assignments.

Imaging pay, hit rigid over the last years, will observe additional cuts in case the proposed rule is finalized. Presently, while you carry out numerous radiological procedures on the Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) list in a single session, Medicare decreases the technical component of the lower paid procedure(s) by 50 percent.

However Supercoder CMS wishes to further decrease those payments, noting in the proposal,

The cuts: CMS is suggesting that in 2012, it will not only reduce the technical component of radiological procedures by 50 percent, but also will slash the professional component by 50 percent. It also maintains that payment cuts to radiology procedures could be even more in 2013 and beyond.

Professional societies were fast to criticize CMS's radiology cuts. The AMA strongly opposes a proposal to use noteworthy cuts to Medicare payments for diagnostic imaging to balance the cost of a trade agreement.

Besides, various radiologists maintained that multiple interpretations of exams carried out on one patient aren't less tedious than multiple interpretations of distinct patients. The time, intensity, as well as the mental effort it takes to interpret an individual exam is comparatively persistent irrespective of whether the patients' exams are interpreted distinctly or at the similar session. Medicare must support such quality care and not constantly attempt to weaken it.

Coverage for MRI Update Is Now Official

CMS has offered decision memo in support of including MRI scans for patients with MRI-safe pacemakers. At the present that decision memo is declared official.

CMS is firm that the evidence is sufficient to determine that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) develops health results for Medicare beneficiaries with implanted permanent pacemakers (PMs) while the PMs are used as per the FDA approved labeling for use in an MRI environment.

Use New ABN by Nov. 1

It might appear like just yesterday that you moved to the most recent version of the ABN, but it's in reality time to upgrade again to a newer version.

Want to know get more radiology coding expert advice like this? Click here to read the entire article and to get access to our monthly Radiology Coding Alert: Your practical adviser for ethically optimizing Radiology medical coding, payment and efficiency in radiology practices.

Read more to perfect your radiology medical coding:

Optimize Payment For Occupational Therapy With CPT 97530

You can use 97530 to report dynamic therapeutic activities in a one-on-one setting, in which the therapist examines and treats the patient's limbs and leads them in exercises to increase his/her strength, flexibility, etc.

What are therapeutic activities?

Therapeutic activities involve the use of such parameters as balance, strength, and range of motion, etc. for an improved everyday functionality, and these are advised to patients who require rehabilitative techniques. Through the use of graduated weights and using a series of movements (such as bending, lifting, carrying, reaching, catching, and overhead activities), therapeutic activities increase the body's flexibility, strength, and coordination. These can be specifically designed for a particular body part or they could work on improving the functioning of the entire body in a progressive manner.

Who can report 97530?

The code 97530 is intended for use only by trained occupational therapists, who design therapeutic activities; massage therapists are not eligible to report this code for their services.

Team therapy

Supercoder CMS says that when two or more therapists or therapy assistants work together as a "team" to treat a patient, you cannot bill separately for the same or different service provided at the same time to the same patient. Also, where a physical and occupational therapist both provide services to a patient at the same time, only one therapist can bill for the entire service or the PT and OT can divide the service units. For example, a PT and an OT work together for 30 minutes with one patient on transfer activities. The PT and OT could each bill one unit of 97530. Alternatively, the 2 units of 97530 could be billed by either the PT or the OT, but not both.

Coding confusion-97110 or 97530?

The similarities between CPT 97110 and CPT 97530 (both are time-based-billed per 15 units, focus on balance, strength, and range of motion, and need direct one-on-one contact by the provider) can lead to wrong code choice and a possible denial. Here's how you can pin down the appropriate code:

    Choose 97110 when the activity is performed to achieve only one of the following: strength, endurance, range of motion, or flexibility.

    Go for 97530 when the activity is performed to achieve multiple parameters and improved functional performance (e.g., lifting, pulling, and bending).

Revised PQRS Measures In Anesthesia Coding This Year

CPT code for the year 2014 doesn’t introduce any new category I codes in anaesthesia coding , but anaesthesia providers need to take care of the category II section. Here are some revisions that you need to incorporate in your practice:

              

·         Patient Transfers Gets Two New Codes

Two new codes, 0581F (Patient transferred directly from anesthetizing location to critical care unit) and 0582F (Patient not transferred directly from anesthetizing location to critical care unit) has been incorporated in the category II section that will help to describe how the patient has been transferred to the critical care unit from the treatment location. These codes will help to understand the condition of criticality of the patient upon transfer of care and is looked upon as a new PQRS measure in anaesthesia coding.

Although these codes were implemented in 2013, they are being incorporated in the PQRS anaesthesia measurement codes in CPT 2014.

·         Anaesthesia Measure 193 Changes With The Introduction Of Four New Codes

Four new codes 4553F, 4555F, 4559F, 4560F has been added to category II codes that is a change to the present PQRS measure 193 for anaesthesia. Now this can end up being a little confusing because currently you report performance measurement codes 4250F-4256F for postoperative temperature management. But, since these codes will be very much effective and in use in 2014, their similarity to the new codes that have been introduced, it can lead to errors and denials. So you need to be very cautious while reporting these codes.

Experts believe that only detailed clarification for these new codes will enable accurate reporting of these codes. Additionally, your staff should follow anaesthesia PQRS updates annually to steer clear of errors.

·         Take Note Of Hypothermia Code Changes

Two hypothermia codes in the category III section that were introduced in 2012 will now find a new place in category I this year.

Code 0260T will now be 99481 with the description total body systemic hypothermia in a crucially ill neonate per day and code 0261T will change to 99482 and will describe selective head hypothermia in a critically ill neonate per day. 

But there is a word of caution associated with these codes. Although these CPT codes represent controlled hypothermia they are not intended for anesthesia providers. Experts warn that for hypothermia only codes for qualifying circumstances are used until and unless it is there in the base value of the anaesthesia code. 

In case your provider uses hypothermia but it is not inherent to the anesthesia service, one can use 99116 in the claim. Using this particular code is safe and beneficial for your practice as it adds to your total five base units as the word demanded from your anaestheologist is also of a high level.

Although these changes are minor, one needs to be careful and stay updated with all the changes to keep your practice on track.

Ph + Impedance Testing: The CCI Edits Can Ease Things for You

Time is a crucial element while selecting between 91037 and 91038.

When your physician's note proposes impedance and pH tests being carried out together, you would turn to the 9103x series of your medical CPT manual. Easy? Not exactly. Take the following scenario in point.

Scenario: The motility specialist carries out impedance + pH test for over an hour. The patient, who complains of recurrent as well as painful heartburn, leaves the office with the catheter in position till the next day.

Dilemma: Can you bill 91038 by itself, or do you require to add 91034 at all?

The key is to recognize what each code involves, but you should not just base your choice on the obvious. You must give weight to Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits, too. These guidelines should keep you on the right track.

1. Look for 91037-91038 for Impedance Catheter

While reporting esophageal function (impedance) tests, you would define it using two medical CPT codes:

91037 –- i.e. Esophageal function test, gastroesophageal reflux test including nasal catheter intraluminal impedance electrode(s) placement, recording, analysis as well as interpretation

91038 -- i.e. ...prolonged (greater than 1 hour, up to 24 hours)

Keep in mind the descriptors for 91037 and 91038 represent a time measurement, which implies that you must apply 91037 for testing that goes up to one hour. In case the monitoring goes for more than one hour, bill 91038 as a substitute. You should not bill both codes for the same test. You should apply only a single code to report the session.

What happens: In an impedance test, the catheter goes in the patient's body transnasally. This particular test measures bolus transit dynamics along with either pH measurement or esophageal muscular function in the assessment of symptoms involving chest pain, swallowing trouble, or chronic heartburn which is unresponsive to medication. At times, physicians would carry out these tests in conjunction with manometry or pH testing.

Together motility study (manometry) as well as esophageal function testing uses a nasal catheter. Though, the impedance probe is multi-purpose and measures more much more than the motility test (91010, Esophageal motility [manometric study of the esophagus and/or gastroesophageal junction] study with interpretation and report; 2-dimensional data) or the gastroesophageal reflux test (91034, Esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux test; with nasal catheter pH electrode[s] placement, recording, analysis and interpretation).

2. Single Code Defines Cather-Based pH Test

When a gastroenterologist carries out an esophageal acid reflux test using either a disposable or a reusable nasal catheter, you would then reportmedical CPT 91034.

Pointer: Medical CPT 91034 should be your go-to code irrespective of how long the nasal catheter remains in place. Generally, though, the physician will leave the catheter in place for about a day. Earlier, you had to differentiate between standard and "extended" pH monitoring. Currently, only single code (91034) defines a catheter-based pH service.

How to Code Cosmetic Ptosis Repair

Having issue how to code Cosmetic Ptosis repair. For more on this and all 2011 CPT updates visit a medical coding guide like Supercoder.

There is this Medicare patient of ours who'll be having a leva to resection on his right eye for ptosis. The ophthalmologist wants to do this as a bilateral procedure; however the patient's left eye is a non-seeing eye. As the operation on the right side may be medically necessary, but the left side would likely be considered cosmetic, how should I go about coding this surgery?

Well, you should report each side of the bilateral procedure on a separate line, appending modifiers LT (left side) and RT (Right side), linking each side to the appropriate diagnosis code explaining the necessity for the surgery.

In this situation, one side will be medically necessary, while the other will be cosmetic – the procedure will not benefit the vision on the non-seeing eye.

Here's what you need to do: Before the surgery, have the patient sign an advance beneficiary notice of non-coverage (ABN) prior to surgery, stating that he's aware that Medicare will not cover the procedure carried out on the left eye. Ensure your ABN is in layman's terms and specifies the specific reasons for non-coverage. (you shouldn't use CPT Code, ICD 9 codes on the ABN form).

You must also specify the estimated cost of the service on the ABN. The original signed ABN indicating the patients decision ( be sure the patient has chosen one of the options) to accept financial responsibility, is maintained by the practice and a fully executed copy must be provided to the patient. Append modifier (Waiver of liability statement on file) to the procedure done on the non-seeing eye to indicate that the patient was informed before and has selected the option to be responsible for the non-covered service and unpaid amount.

For instance: The patient has congenital ptosis (743.61), and his left eye is non-seeing. The ophthalmologist carries out levator resection (67904, Repair of blepharoptosis; [tarso] levator resection or advancement, external approach) bilaterally. Code as follows:

Line 1: 67904-RT linked to 743.61

Line 2: 67904-LT-GA linked to V50.1 (Elective surgery for purposes other than remedying health states; other plastic surgery for unacceptable cosmetic appearance).

If your documentation shows that the procedure was medically necessary on the right side, Medicare will reimburse the full amount for 67904-RT. The cosmetic diagnosis linked to 67904-LT-GA will prompt the carrier to deny the specific service due to the diagnosis and non-coverage of cosmetic services, and the explanation of benefits (EOB) received by the patient will confirm that the patient is responsible for payment.

Don’t assume ICD-10 diagnosis codes -- 424.1 will split under the new cardiology codes next year

 The coming year there will be major code changes when ICD-10 comes into effect. Like any other practice there will be major changes for cardiology codes. For instance, there will be new code set divides for diagnosis code 424.1 under ICD 9-CM that is used to report aortic valve disorders, and you need to ensure that you are updated with all the code changes to keep your practice compliant and profitable. A disorder of the aortic valve refers to a problem with the valve between the aorta and the left ventricle.

When ICD-10 becomes effective then there will be a range of codes specifying 424.1 that will be from 135.0 – 135.9. There will be a range of codes to choose from for multiple aortic valve disorder codes in the I35. - range under ICD-10. ICD-10 will have separate codes for stenosis, insufficiency, stenosis with insufficiency, other, and unspecified.

To ensure correct coding you need to ensure that you document correctly if the aortic valve disease is rheumatic or not. You also need to ensure that you have adequate knowledge regarding whether the condition is congenital because it will affect the choice of codes that will be used. Since there will be multiple code options for aortic valve disorders under ICD-10, documentation needs to be specific about the type of disorder to identify the most specific code.

There are some tips that can be followed to code correctly. If the documentation shows stenosis and insufficiency then only the code 135.2 should be used instead of I35.0 and I35.1 together. Insufficiency can also be documented by using incompetence or regurgitation. When 135.8 is used the term “other” specifies that the physician documented the type, but ICD-10 will not have any code that will specify the documented type. The "unspecified" in I35.9 would mean that the physician did not document the type.

Document Now to Save Yourself Trouble Later on

If Medicare carries out an audit and figures out that your documentation is not in proper order, you could find yourself having to repay them for all the claims they find problems with.

Medicare only sees the front portion of the form when you send in a CMS-1500 form. What Medicare fails to see is what is on the other side of that form, which is your documentation. They presuppose that your document is right until they carry out an audit.

If Medicare carries out an audit and figures out that your documentation is not in proper order, you could find yourself having to repay them for all the claims they find problems with. That is the reason why it is vital to cautiously document the medical necessity of the visual field exam in the patient's medical record.

According to experts, one of the weak areas of optometrists is the "interpretation and report" portion of several codes. For instance code 92083 provides one example. As per your record of a visual field, "Informed patient test for OD showed small area we need to watch; have return in three months." In a postpayment audit, Medicare will not accept this billing. Here's why? Interpretation and report" needs assessment of both eyes.

Bear in mind: All three visual field codes have a TC and PC. When you bill 92083, you are telling Medicare you performed both the TC and the PC. It is better to have a form just for visual fields, apart from your regular notes.

This may sound excess, but remember that in case of an audit, such a form could save you money.

For further details on this and for other medical coding updates, sign up for a one-stop medical coding guide like http://www.supercoder.com/.