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Anesthesia Coding Alert

Avoid Basing Code Selection on Superbill Choice --Or Risk Denials

Published on Mon May 18, 2009

Bill based on documentation -- not the codes circled on the superbill. Myth: If your physician circles his E/M code on the superbill after seeing a patient, then he's already done your job for you. Reality: Submitting a claim to your carrier based solely on the physician's writing on the superbill could put you at risk. A coder recently asked the following question: "Our office manager is trying to streamline the E/M coding process and has asked that we code from the charge ticket (superbill) only -- that is, without access to the patient record. We're not totally comfortable with that type of process. Can you advise?" We asked our experts to help this practice. Check out their advice below and determine whether you're in the clear. Separate Superbill From Record "The fee slip is a communication tool between the physician and the front desk/coder/receptionist/support staff," says Suzan Berman (Hvizdash), CPC, CEMC, [...]
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