September 17, 2020 A previous version of this coding coach was incorrect; to view a correct version of that question, please click here. Question: I work with a pain management physician and we don’t see many Medicare patients. This doctor believes the revised 2021 E/M guidelines will not impact our office practice because of our...
September 17 , 2020 Question: What diagnosis code should I use for malignant melanoma of the left cheek? Answer: You should report C43.39. Since there is not a specific code for the melanoma of the cheek C43.39 (Malignant melanoma of other parts of face) is the appropriate choice. *This response is based on the best...
September 17, 2020 Question: I just signed up for your 2021 E/M webinar – I’m so excited! Will these changes apply to inpatient codes too? Answer: Great – I look forward seeing you! At this time, the changes are only for new patient and established patient codes – office services. Learn more from Kim Pollock...
September 17, 2020 Question: We did an abdominal fat pad biopsy for primary cutaneous Amyloidosis. Would 49180 or 11104 be the appropriate code for this? Answer: 49180 is for a core sample within or behind the abdominal cavity. If the core biopsy is documented down to the subcutaneous fat pad only, this is coded as...
September 17, 2020 Question: I sent a patient out to the hospital for a CTA and the patient brought in the actual images and the radiologist’s report for me to review. Can I charge 76140 (Consultation on X-ray examination made elsewhere, written report) when I personally interpret those images and write my own report? Answer:...
September 17, 2020 Question: I work with a plastic surgeon and we don’t see many Medicare patients. The plastic surgeon believes the revised 2021 E/M guidelines will not impact our office practice because of our low Medicare volume. Is this correct? Answer: This is not correct! The revised documentation requirements are from CPT – the...
September 17, 2020 Question: Our physicians are looking at purchasing generic Hyaluronan instead of purchasing the name brand Orthovisc or MonoVisc for example. In doing research, I am not finding any NDC codes or HCPCS codes that specifically address the generic Hyaluronan. I also came across this list of Hyaluronic Acid Derivatives. If I am...
September 17, 2020 Question: I work with an ENT and we don’t see many Medicare patients. The ENT believes the revised 2021 E/M guidelines will not impact our office practice because of our low Medicare volume. Is this correct? Answer: This is not correct! The revised documentation requirements are from CPT – the coding rule....
September 3, 2020 Question: I sent a patient out to the hospital for a CT scan and the patient brought in the actual images and the radiologist’s report for me to review. Can I charge 76140 (Consultation on X-ray examination made elsewhere, written report) when I personally interpret those images and write my own report?...
September 3, 2020 Question: Which CPT code is used 20550 or 20551 for a trigger finger /A1 pulley injection? Answer: CPT code 20550 defines an injection to a single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis (eg, plantar “fascia”). CPT code 20551 defines an injection to single tendon at the origin/insertion site. Trigger finger injections are most...
