Cardiology Coding Alert
Report Reduced Services for No Skin Pocket
Question: How should we bill for a pacemaker procedure when our physician inserted the pacemaker and leads, but a different doctor created the surgical pocket? Answer: You should report 33208-52 (Insertion or replacement of permanent pacemaker with transvenous electrode[s]; atrial and ventricular) for the procedure and append modifier -52 (Reduced services). Skin pocket development is part of the pacemaker implant. And if another doctor performed that portion of the procedure, the service provided by the billing physician would be slightly reduced.
Arizona Subscriber
You should also report 71090-26 (Insertion pacemaker, fluoroscopy and radiography, radiological supervision and interpretation; professional component) for the fluoroscopy during the pacer insertion, assuming your physician performed and documented this.
Cardiology Coding Alert
- NCCI 9.3 Update:
Get the Lowdown on New Coronary Intervention, Pacer Bundles
You know you shouldn't report nonselective catheterization in addition to selective catheterization during peripheral vascular [...] - Are You Appending Modifier -59 Too Frequently?
Don't risk unwanted payer scrutiny When you add modifier -59 (Distinct procedural service) to a [...] - E/M Audit Results, Part 2:
How to Take the Stress Out of Exam Component Coding
Experts offer 4 tips to make sure your systems add up Assigning the right exam [...] - You Be the Coder:
Modifiers for Left Heart Cath With Imaging
Question: What codes should I use for a left heart catheterization with a selective coronary [...] - Bone Up on the E/M Guideline Distinctions
Determining whether to use the 1995 or 1997 guidelines isn't always easy, but you'll need [...] - Pacer Checks Update:
CMS Modifier -TC Billing
If you're concerned about how to report the technical component (-TC) to Medicare for pacemaker [...] - Reader Question:
Report Reduced Services for No Skin Pocket
Question: How should we bill for a pacemaker procedure when our physician inserted the pacemaker [...] - Reader Question:
Use 99211-99215 for Inpatient Follow-Ups
Question: One of the cardiologists in my group insists on billing an established patient office [...] - Reader Question:
Report Prolonged Services for Dual Stent Placement
Question: The cardiologist placed one stent in the obtuse marginal vessel and one stent in [...] - Reader Question :
Save Yourself Construction Costs
Question: Are physical barriers available to prevent patients and visitors from viewing computer screens?
New [...]
