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Cardiology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Use E/M Code for Follow-Up Groin Checks

Published on Tue Sep 30, 2003

Question: Our physicians do follow-up groin checks in the office after cardiac catheterization. Are these appro-priate, and how should I code a "normal" diagnosis?
     
North Carolina Subscriber
 
Answer: Typically, practices do not bill separately for follow-up groin checks. Usually, the cardiologist provides this service as part of a more extensive E/M service, so you would bill the appropriate E/M code, such as 99213 for a low-complexity problem visit. Moreover, you would not append modifier -24 (Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician during a postoperative period) because this service would fall under the global period for catheterizations and interventions, which ends on the day of service.
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