July 22, 2021 Question: Our surgeon attempted to remove deep hardware in the operating room but was unable after multiple attempts. No other surgical procedures were performed. Are we able to bill anything for the attempted surgery? Answer: Yes, you may. Your scenario indicates “deep hardware” indicating CPT code 20680 (Removal of implant; deep (eg,...
July 8, 2021 Question: I’m using Code-X at my practice and, unfortunately, I couldn’t find physician fee reimbursement in the RVU tracker for some of the codes in our location. Are you able to guide me or should I contact the AAOS? Here are the three codes: J7320- GenVisc (Intra-articular Injection), J7322 – Hymovis J7332...
June 24, 2021 Question: Our foot and ankle surgeon performed a right talar arthroscopic intraosseous bioplasty core decompression for an insufficiency fracture. We coded this with an unlisted procedure code, 29999. Our hospital is instructing us that this is incorrect and we must report 28899, unlisted procedure foot or toes; they state this code 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...
May 27, 2021 Question: Our practice understands how to report shared services in the hospital when the physician assistant and physician both see the patient on the same day. My question, and I have not found anyone who is able to answer is, how do we bill when a hospital-employed physician assistant and our physician...
May 13, 2021 Question: Our surgeon documented an excision and curettage of a bone cyst from the tibia and the fibula near the ankle joint. I am looking at CPT code 27635 and wondering if this is the correct code and if I report it once or twice. Answer: CPT code 27635 (Excision or curettage...
April 29, 2021 Question: I am new to coding and have a question. I remember studying about “separate procedures” and have my first operative note that includes a code that has this in the code definition. The surgeon performed a diagnostic arthroscopy (CPT code 29870) and confirmed the meniscal tear prior to proceeding with the...
April 15, 2021 Question: In the new guidelines, how does Time affect billing for a teaching physician’s E/M service when the resident spends a great deal of time with the patient? Answer: Good question! CMS reimburses for the services of the attending physician, not the resident in training. Only the time of teaching physician would...
April 1, 2021 Question: A new patient presents with a CD of an MRI that was performed at an outside institution and was read by the radiologist. There was no report with the CD. If one of my physicians reads the MRI can we bill for the second reading? Answer: No, reading the MRI that...
March 18, 2021 Question: We are switching to a new EHR system. We have not always had great compliance with our providers documenting what we feel needs to be documented so we want to do it right. Are you able to advise what should be included in the medical record when the provider administers medications,...
