August 6, 2020 Question: Our vascular surgeon documented a single intervention for a lesion that crosses the margin between the fem/pop and tibial/peritoneal territories. Should we bill one code or one for each territory? Answer: You would bill one code since a single intervention was performed. *This response is based on the best information available...
July 23, 2020 Question: Can we bill for all vessels mentioned if they are documented within the angiogram? Answer: No. You should only bill for vessels that are targeted and are medically necessary. Documentation alone doesn’t always mean that procedures are separately billable. *This response is based on the best information available as of 07/23/20.
July 9, 2020 Question: I’m new to vascular coding, can we bill for vascular access for a catheterization? The provider documents this, so I’m thinking I am missing a code. Answer: No, vascular access itself is not separately billable with a catheterization. However, the provider must document if access was obtained on the same side...
June 25, 2020 Question: I have 2 vascular surgeons from the same practice that want to bill co-surgery for a complex open abdominal aneurysm repair. They both performed the same code but say that it should be co-surgery because it was complex and needed both surgeons. Can we bill with modifier -62? Answer: The surgery...
June 11, 2020 Question: Does it matter that the open exposure codes are now add-on codes? Does that change payment or coding in any way? Answer: Yes, this change has both coding and payment implications. In terms of coding, the open exposure codes can now only be reported with a primary code; the main body...
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 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,...
April 30, 2020 Question: Can we bill telephone only (99441-99443) calls subsequently during the week (or the same day) for the same patient by the same provider or another provider of the same specialty within the practice if each call is documented properly? Answer: The following information is only for guidance during the current COVID-19...
April 16, 2020 Question: What are the documentation rules for telehealth visits? Answer: Medicare now says that the appropriate E/M code for the telehealth visit (real-time audio and video) may be chosen based on Medical Decision Making (existing guidelines – not the new 2021 guidelines) or total amount of time. This is good news for...
April 2, 2020 Question: Now that we aren’t limited to HIPAA compliant software, can we use any app or platform to conduct a telemedicine visit? Answer: You may use any app or platform that is not “public facing” according to HHS. Platforms such as Facebook Live, Twitch, and TikTok are considered public facing. Skype, FaceTime,...
