June 10, 2021 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...
June 10, 2021 Question: If I do both a breast reduction, 19318, and liposuction of the breast, 15877, do I bill both codes? Answer: No – the liposuction is not separately reported. This service is included in the breast reduction code assuming breast tissue is surgically removed to support 19318. *This response is based on...
June 10, 2021 Question: If 10 sq. cm subcutaneous tissue is debrided from the right leg and 20 sq. cm is debrided from the left leg, is it coded as 11042 and 11042-59 or 11042 RT and 11042 LT? Answer: If debridement is performed at the same depth of tissue (all subcutaneous tissue) it is...
June 10, 2021 Question: Our physician diagnosed non-displaced middle phalangeal fractures on the right index, middle, ring, and little fingers on a high school student. The physician applied a short arm cast as treatment and wants to report CPT code 26720 four times. I explained to the physician that she may only report this code...
June 10, 2021 Question: My physician is utilizing an open laceration on the patients chin for open reduction of a mandibular symphysis fracture. He wants to also charge for complex laceration repair for that laceration. Is this billable or is it part of the ORIF code? Answer: If the fracture is repaired through the laceration...
June 10, 2021 Question: If I use time to select my E/M service in the office, can I just document the total time? Answer: No, you must document the actual time along with the activities performed. According to the AMA, list the total time and describe what activities were done. “I spent 45 minutes caring...
June 10, 2021 Question: Can you code a PTH (blood draw), during a parathyroidectomy? Answer: Monitoring the Parathyroid hormone (PTH), including the blood draw, is included in the parathyroidectomy and not separately reported. *This response is based on the best information available as of 6/10/21.
June 10, 2021 Question: What is the correct ICD-10-CM for bilateral sciatica? My doctor tells me to use both M54.31 & M54.32 but this doesn’t seem right. Answer: There is not a diagnosis code for bilateral sciatica. You are correct to use M54.32 and M54.31 to report this condition. *This response is based on the...
May 27, 2021 Question: My doctors are providing telehealth office visits using audio only. They have told me it is okay to use E/M codes 99202-99215 for telephone visits. I was reading the temporary guidelines for Telehealth during the PHE and cannot verify these are the right codes. Can you help? Answer: When the telehealth...
May 27, 2021 Question: In doing DIEP flap reconstruction, oftentimes I take out an incidental intra-mammary lymph node. Can I code 38530 for this? Answer: No, removal of incidental lymph node(s) encountered in the operative field are included in the DIEP flap CPT code. *This response is based on the best information available as of...
