February 14, 2019 Question: When I perform a hip injection using CPT 20610 and I use fluoroscopic guidance can I report the injection and the fluoroscopy? Answer: You may report the injection 20610 and the fluoroscopic guidance using CPT 77002 (Fluoroscopic guidance for needle placement). *This response is based on the best information available as...
January 31, 2019 Question: When performing a carpal tunnel injection (20526) using ultrasound, what do I need to document to support reporting 76942? Answer: In order to report ultrasonic guidance using CPT code 76942 a permanent image of the ultrasound must be maintained. It is recommended that you document the imaging guidance in a separate...
January 17, 2019 Question: My physician inserted a permanent spinal neurostimulator and we used CPT 64655. He also billed CPT 95970 for the electronic analysis at the same operative session. Is this the correct way to bill for the permanent placement and the analysis? Answer: The electronic analysis at the time of implantation is not...
December 13, 2018 Question: My pain management physician saw a patient in the office and the chief complaint states that the patient is here for a trigger point injection (20552). He has documented a detailed history, expanded problem focused examination and the decision making is low complexity since the patient is established and the pain...
November 29, 2018 Question: I have a patient who for the past 6 months, has noticed an increase pain in her right hip. She feels like she is limping. She states that she was hospitalized 2 years ago and was on high dose steroids for about 4 months. She currently takes 5 mg of prednisone...
November 15, 2018 Question: A patient had an adjustment to his infusion pump and I am not sure what diagnosis code to report. I have be using Z46.89 (encounter for fitting and adjustment of other specified devices. Is that correct? Answer: No you would report Z45.1 (encounter for adjustment and management of infusion pump). *This...
Physicians Practice – August 22, 2018 by Karen Zupko Years ago, a “good referral” was described using the Three A’s of medicine: Availability, Affability, and Ability. A physician striving to build a successful practice was advised to deliver all three. Managed care contracts and narrow networks temporarily stifled traditional referral building. But the patient rebellion...
