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Unspecified vs. Uncertain Behavior Skin Lesion Diagnosis Code
January 9, 2020 Question: Can you refresh my memory on when to use the diagnosis code for skin lesion “uncertain…
Implantation of Biologic Implants
December 19, 2019 Question: Can we use 15777 Implantation of biologic implant (e.g. acellular dermal matrix) for soft tissue reinforcement…
Tattoo Redo After Reconstruction
December 5, 2019 Question: A patient came to us for a redo of nipple micropigmentation, as she was not pleased…
Modifiers for Free Flap Breast Reconstruction
November 14, 2019 Question: Do the free flap breast reconstruction codes, 19364 and S2068, allow billing for surgeon, co-surgeon and…
Postoperative Incision Drainage
October 31, 2019 Question: A patient had bilateral breast augmentation 5 weeks ago. She developed some drainage out of…
Removal of Breast Implant with Capsulectomy
October 17, 2019 Question: My doctor specializes in breast reconstruction and has been asking me to bill 19328 (removal of…
Nerve Block for Postoperative Pain Management
October 3, 2019 Question: My doctor has introduced us to a code he would like to bill. I have researched…
Muscle Transfer Coding with DIEP Flap
September 19, 2019 Question: Someone told me we can bill CPT 23395 (Muscle transfer, any type, shoulder or upper arm;…
Coding Debridement with Grafts
September 5, 2019 Question: When can I report a debridement in addition to a graft? I performed a simple debridement…
Chemical Peel
August 22, 2019 Question: What code should we use for a chemical peel of less than the entire face? Answer:…
Microdermabrasion
August 8, 2019 Question: Is the correct code for microdermabrasion 15780 or some other code? Answer: CPT code 15780 (Dermabrasion;…
Division and Inset of Flap
July 25, 2019 Question: A patient presents for division and inset of a neck-to-ear pedicle flap. Should we report 15620…
Adjacent Tissue Transfer
July 11, 2019 Question: If our docs perform two adjacent tissue transfers on two separate lesions in the same anatomic…
Pilonidal Cyst Removal and Repair
June 20, 2019 Question: If one of our doctors removes a complex pilonidal cyst that requires a rhomboid flap repair,…
Modifier 50 for ATT?
June 6, 2019 Question: My doctor did two adjacent tissue transfers, on the each leg of the patient. The ATT…
Use of a Scribe
May 23, 2019 Question: We are hiring a scribe for the doctor because it will help improve his documentation. Is…
Billing for Hospital NP/PA Consults
May 9, 2019 Question: The plastic surgeon I work with has a question regarding billing. Some of the hospitals in…
Prescription Refill Visits
April 25, 2019 Question: We get calls from patients to renew their medications. When the patient comes to office to…
Debridement Codes
April 11, 2019 Question: My plastic surgeon debrided an open burn wound that was 45 sq cm then placed a…
Sentinel Node Identification
March 28, 2019 Question: We have a new plastic surgeon and he’s doing a procedure my other guys don’t perform. …
Botox for Migraine Headaches
March 14, 2019 Question: When you inject Botox for migraine headaches, can you bill the injection code more than one…
Skin Biopsy Codes
February 28, 2019 Question: What happened to the skin biopsy codes? I submitted a claim for 11101 (skin biopsy) and…
Consultation Request
February 14, 2019 Question: Would you mind giving your two cents? I saw a patient from urgent care yesterday with…
Diagnosis Code for Post Op Visits
January 31, 2019 Question: What’s the best way to do the diagnosis coding for postop visits? I mean, does it…
Post Op Hemorrhage Repair: Is it Billable?
January 17, 2019 Question: Can I bill for taking the patient back to the OR to explore and repair post-op…
Documenting Codes in the Operative Note
December 13, 2018 Question: I’ve been dictating CPT codes in the operative note so that my coder knows what to…
Code Submission Order on Claims
November 29, 2018 Question: When we are submitting multiple procedures on a claim, should we submit the CPT codes in…
Diagnosis Code for Wound Care Dressing Change
November 15, 2018 Question: What diagnosis code should I report for a change of a nonsurgical wound dressing when this…
Indications for Surgery Paragraph
October 18, 2018 Question: I recently attended a coding course you taught and learned a lot – thank you! I…
Diagnosis Coding for Suspicious Skin Lesion
October 4, 2018 Question: My billing service is waiting for the pathology report and assigning the diagnosis and procedure code…
Articles
Four Proven Post-Consult Follow Up Techniques
Aesthetic Society News – Summer 2019 by Karen Zupko Turning callers and prospects into scheduled consults is a subject that…
Evidence Based Pricing Strategy for Plastic Surgeons — Winning the Price Wars
Aesthetic Society News – March 2018 by Karen Zupko, President One area of practice administration where most plastic surgery practices…
Put Your Best Face (and Breasts and Body) Forward How to Showcase Your Surgical Results with Clinical Photography
Aesthetic Society News – Winter 2018 by Amy Boyer, MBA Every plastic surgeon knows that photography is an essential part…
High Deductible Health Plans: Take Accounts Receivable Action Now
High Deductible Health Plans: Take Accounts Receivable Action Now The American Journal of Orthopedics® – November/December 2017 by Karen Zupko,…
Going From Free to Fee Consultations. Yes, You Can. Here's How.
Aesthetic Society News – Fall 2017 by Karen Zupko, President To charge or not to charge? That is the question…
Practice Management: Unique Selling Points
Practice Management: Unique Selling Points MedEsthetics – October 2017 by Karen Zupko, President Help your practice stand out by recognizing…
Profiles in Plastic Surgeons' Practice Transitions
Aesthetic Society News – Spring 2017 by Karen Zupko, President “Sorry, I didn’t call you back last week, Karen. I…
10 Things a Billing Service Should Provide Your Practice
Aesthetic Society News – Summer 2016 by Karen Zupko, President Last week, a plastic surgeon from Tennessee called. He outsources…
Maximize Your Practice Management System
We frequently visit practices that have spent the equivalent of a Mercedes convertible on a practice management system (PMS).
10 Non-Financial Reasons Patients Don't Schedule
There is a common perception among aesthetic surgeons that the primary reason a patient doesn’t schedule surgery is because of…
Dropped Leads, Why They Happen and What to Do About Them
Aesthetic Society News – Winter 2016 by Karen Zupko, President After mystery shopping over 150 aesthetic plastic surgery practices through…
The 5th P: "Personnel" is Essential to Your Practice's Marketing Mix
Price. Product (or Service). Promotion. Place. These “4 Ps” comprise the classic Marketing Mix and are foundational components of any…
Financial Reports and Data Aesthetic Surgeons Need to See
Aesthetic Society News – Winter 2015 by Cheryl Toth, MBA We frequently find that aesthetic surgeons make expensive business decisions…
Rewarding Everyone: Creating Team Bonuses That Work
Aesthetic Society News – Summer 2015 by Glenn Morley Rewarding a Patient Care Coordinator (PPC) with a financial bonus can…
Going Cosmetic? Part 1
The Association of Dermatology Administrators & Managers Newsletter by Glenn Morley If you’ve decided to make the strategic change toward…
Managing Cash Flow
MedEsthetics Magazine – March 2015 Cheyenne Brinson, MBA, CPA Its not enough to make more than you spendpractices must also…
Going Cosmetic? Part 2
The Association of Dermatology Administrators & Managers Newsletter by Glenn Morley For physicians who have decided to incorporate cosmetic services…
Going Cosmetic: Keep Patients for Life!
The Association of Dermatology Administrators & Managers Newsletter by Glenn Morley You’ve made the strategic shift toward increasing cosmetic lines…
Employee Verification
MedEsthetics – November/December 2014 by Karen Zupko Because employees of medical practices and medspas have easy access to patient information,…
Build Better Patient Relationships, Faster, Using the FORD Method
Aesthetic Society News – Fall 2014 by Karen Zupko, President “How long will I have to stop running after surgery?”…
Tighten Cash Handling & Audit Controls: 9 Best Practices That Reduce Embezzlement Risk
Aesthetic Society News – Summer 2014 by Karen Zupko, President A few years ago, we worked with an aesthetic practice…
Make Your Last Impression as Good as Your First: Fine-Tune the Fee Quote
Aesthetic Society News – Spring 2014 by Karen Zupko, President You’ve spent thousands on attractive branding and Web design. You’ve…
Don't Get Burned by the Billing Company: Avoid These Revenue, Reputation, & Regulatory Risks
Plastic Surgery News Connection – October 2013 by Cheryl Toth, MBA “It’s a total nightmare!” The physician’s voice was a…
Hiring Right Makes Your Practice More Profitable and Pleasant
Aesthetic Society News – Winter 2011 by Karen Zupko, President When Lucy showed up for the interview, you thought your…
Practice Tips: Why Patients Don't Schedule Surgery - Try These Reasons On For Size and Take Action
Facial Plastic Times – May/June 2011 by Karen Zupko Potential patients don’t schedule surgery for dozens of reasons. You’ll find…
