May 28, 2020 Question: We are doing a combined case with ENT and are not sure how to code it. The patient has a semi-circular canal dehiscence of the temporal bone. ENT is going to do the approach and I’m going to do the repair of the defect with local bone. We will use mesh...
May 28, 2020 Question: Can we bill the 92242 for the indocyanine green injection intraoperatively, for example to assess perfusion after a colectomy or other abdominal procedure? Can we bill for the injection using 15860? Answer: No, this service is included in primary surgery and not separately reported. *This response is based on the best...
May 28, 2020 Question: We had a Medicare patient who came in with AKs and a lesion on the eyelid. Twenty AKs were destroyed on the patient’s chest and scalp and an incisional biopsy was performed on the lesion on the eyelid, what CPT codes do I use? Answer: You will need to report both...
May 29, 2020 Question: I’m new to coding. What code would I use for radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerve? Answer: You’re in luck! There is a new code in 2020: 64624 Destruction by neurolytic agent, genicular nerve branches including imaging guidance, when performed. The code includes destruction (e.g., chemical means, radiofrequency ablation) of all...
May 28, 2020 Question: I almost always use a 12 French or larger catheter for placing the main body for EVAR. Do I always bill the new code 34713, when what I use is 12 French or larger? Answer: Yes, if your approach/exposure is percutaneous. CPT code +34713, Percutaneous access and closure of femoral artery...
May 28, 2020 Question: Hello! I have a plastic surgery question. I perform DIEP surgeries and when I do a bilateral DIEP I have a colleague scrub with me, and one of us will do the belly dissection while another does the chest dissection. We are both plastic surgeons. At my previous institution we were...
May 28, 2020 Question: Can we charge a 31231 and a 30901, 30903, or 30905 if the scope is withdrawn and then the cautery is done? Answer: No. CPT 31231 is a diagnostic procedure and includes the parenthetical statement “separate procedure.” That means 31231 is included in a more definitive therapeutic/treatment procedure at the same...
May 28, 2020 Question: What is the correct code to report for the insertion and subsequent lengthening of the VEPTR device? Answer: VEPTR is the abbreviation for Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib Currently there are no codes for this procedure, where the device is typically attached to the ribs, spine or pelvis. Report an unlisted...
May 14, 2020 Question: Since we have to bring the patients back in for COVID testing and H&P for Joint Commission, can we bill for this visit even though it’s another pre-op visit? Answer: Yes, since the patient was rescheduled due to the pandemic and needs to be seen for a COVID swab prior to surgery,...
May 14, 2020 Question: Since we have to bring the patients back in for COVID testing and H&P for Joint Commission, can we bill for this visit even though it’s another pre-op visit? Answer: Yes, since the patient was rescheduled due to the pandemic and needs to be seen for a COVID swab prior to surgery,...
