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Dermatology Coding Alert

Biopsies:
Specifying Biopsy Site Can Mean $27 Per Procedure
Don’t automatically assign 11100 if a site-specific biopsy site is justified. If... Read more
HIPAA:
Solidify Your HIPAA Policies and Practices Before the Auditors Come Knocking
All covered entities and business associates are on the audit list, HHS says. HIPAA is... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Don't Get Sidelined By These 3 ICD-10 Myths
Don’t assume that ICD-10 will allow you to use the same code twice. With the hea... Read more
Compliance:
Bust These 5 Common Compliance Myths
Tip: Make a good faith effort to comply with the spirit of the law. Don’t get wa... Read more
Reader Question:
Malignancy Leads Code Choice
Question: Sometimes our surgeon excises in situ basal cell carcinoma, but sometimes he u... Read more
Reader Question:
MSP Doesn't Change Medicare Consultation Pay
Question: I know Medicare doesn’t reimburse consults anymore, but a new coder we h... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Family Melanoma Risk
Question: In our practice, we frequently see patients who don’t personally have ma... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Get Specific With Pressure Ulcer Coding in ICD-10
Reporting multiple ulcers? Next year, reduce confusion with separate codes for bilateral... Read more
CCI:
CMS Takes Back E/M Bundles That Quash Legit Pay
Check your modifier 25 claims for erroneous denials. Since July 1, you’ve been f... Read more
Advance Beneficiary Notices:
Adding 'G' Modifiers on Your Medicare Claims? Expect Extra Scrutiny
The OIG report puts GA, GZ, GY, and GX in the hot seat. When your practice is billing ... Read more
Reader Question:
Nail Ingrown Toenail Coding With 11750
Question: A patient presents for a follow-up of an ingrown toenail. The physician f... Read more
Reader Question:
Ensure That Your Appeals Have a Chance at Success
Question: When we know that the carrier has made a mistake in denying one of our cl... Read more
Reader Question:
Get Patient Okay Before Disclosing PHI
Question: Who’s authorized to make a request to review a patient’s medi... Read more
Reader Question:
Clear Up Modifier 59 Confusion
Question: We were just notified that modifier 59 is no longer accepted by Medicare ... Read more
Reader Question:
Here's What You Can Do to Get Ready for ICD-10
Question: What should we be doing now to prepare for the ICD-10 transition? South... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Dermabond Closure
Question: An established patient visited our office because of severe hyperkeratosi... Read more
Neoplasm Coding:
3 Steps Point the Way for Uncertain Vs. Unspecified Neoplasms
238.2 or 239.2? The answer lies in the details. Do you know the difference between neo... Read more
ICD-10:
Conversion to ICD-10 Won't Be a Huge Financial Burden, CMS Reps Say
Plus: ICD-10 claims will allow you to submit the letters as either upper or lowercase, C... Read more
Practice Management:
Breeze Through HIPAA Audit With 5 Protocol Tips
Try your hand at internal audits first. Random and targeted HIPAA audits are making th... Read more
Compliance:
E/M Errors Top Medicare's List of Improperly Billed Codes in 2012
CERT results reveal $29.6 billion in improper Medicare payments — $1.1 billion of ... Read more
Reader Question:
Calculate the Sequestration Cut Effects
Question: Does the 2 percent sequestration cut apply to claims with dates of service on/... Read more
Reader Question:
Identify Ulcers by Type, Not Depth
Question: Is there a method of correlating Wagner’s ulcer classification to ICD-9 ... Read more
Reader Question:
Billing 2 MD Visits on Same Day Is OK if Specialties Differ
Question: Can a patient be seen by two different providers in a billing group on the sam... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Complex or Simple Integumentary Repair?
Question: Would this be considered complex or just a simple repair? Wound repair of ... Read more
Lesion Removals:
701.1 Is Your Best Bet for Porokeratotic Lesions
11055, 11420, or17110? Your coding will depend on the method used. There may be no spe... Read more
Part B Payment:
Proposed 2014 Fee Schedule Suggests Steep Cuts
But in 2015, practitioners could finally see bonuses for non-face-to-face services admin... Read more
ICD-10 Prep:
Let 4 FAQs Help Guide Your ICD-10 Focus
Don’t limit your training to code selection alone. The ICD-10 implementation de... Read more
Compliance:
Know the Truth About 5 Common Compliance Beliefs
True or false? Being unaware of accidental overpayments can’t invoke false claims ... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Add Wound Lengths in Different Anatomical Sites
Question: A patient with a 1.5-cm laceration on his eyebrow presented to our dermatology... Read more
Reader Question:
Pay Heed to Complex Repair 'Anatomic Groups'
Question: We had a case with multiple lacerations requiring complex repair to the follow... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Debridement With FBR
Question: Is it acceptable to code 11042 and 10120 together? If so, do I need to include... Read more
CCI 19.2:
Greet E/M Bundles for Nearly Every Integumentary Surgery
Focus on three modifiers for unusual cases. If you’re rusty on when evaluation a... Read more
E/M Coding:
Take Steps to MDM Determination Success -- Every Time
This system will help you correctly calculate each piece of the MDM puzzle. Are you in... Read more
Electronic Medical Records:
Look Before Jumping on the EMR Bandwagon
Picking the wrong EMR system could mean losing money and system blackouts. Electronic ... Read more
Reader Question:
Mitigate Late Patient Costs With Block Scheduling
Question: Recently we have had a lot of patients showing up late for appointments. The p... Read more
You Be the Coder:
3 Skin Lesions With Pathology
Question: Our dermatologist excised three skin lesions from a patient’s back and n... Read more
Burn Treatments:
16000-16036: Don't Get Burned on Code Choice
Tip: Use the “Rule of Nines” to determine the percentage of skin involved. ... Read more
Practice Management:
Master X-Y-Zs of Global Period Indicators to Maximize E/M Pay
Make sure to count pre-op day, too. Procedures that your dermatologist performs can ra... Read more
CCI Primer:
4 FAQs Spotlight Bundling Rules for Dermatological Surgeons
Know when modifiers, ABNs can’t override edit pairs. Keeping abreast of Medicare... Read more
Documentation:
Leave the HPI Details to the Provider
Identify which portions of the record ancillary staff can capture. Your dermatologist... Read more
Reader Question:
Choose 17110 for Verruca Vulgaris Removal
Question: The physician used a laser to remove five lesions of verruca vulgaris on a pat... Read more
Reader Question:
Brush Up on ICD-10 Differences
Question: I’ve seen lots of specific examples of ICD-10 codes, but I think it woul... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Sebaceous Cyst Removal
Question: If our surgeon removes a sebaceous cyst from the back that measures 2.5 x 1.75... Read more
Milia:
4 Tips Lead You to Clear Milia Treatment
Understanding irrigation and drainage is essential. Having a hard time reporting milia... Read more
ICD-10 Prep:
Focus Your Dermatology Practice's ICD-10 Prep With CMS Resources
Don’t miss partial code freeze breather. The countdown to ICD-10 stands at just ... Read more
Practice Management:
Learn the Basics Before Investing in Practice Management Software
The right tools can streamline your administrative and financial tasks. Medical practi... Read more
Don't Settle:
Perform an MPM Needs Analysis
Review these system features and decide which ones your practice needs. When your prac... Read more
Part B Mythbuster:
Check Out These Top 5 ABN Myths
These surprising CMS rules on ABN use are straight from Medicare policy. You’ve ... Read more
Reader Question:
Amend Documentation With Care
Question: One of our dermatologists wants to amend documentation of a procedure, but we ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Melanoma Removal Involving Subcutaneous
Question: The surgeon re-excised a melanoma of the upper arm, removing a 2.9 cm lesion w... Read more
Dermatitis Tests:
Scratch Test or Patch Test, Make Sure Dermatologist Counts All Allergens
Understand what each test does, and how. If your office is a typical dermatology offic... Read more
Cash Flow:
5 Hidden Income Opportunities Ease the Pain of Sequestration Cuts
Your Medicare pay was slashed by 2 percent on April 1 — these tips will help bring... Read more
Denials Management:
4 Tips Set You on Course for MUE Appeals Success
Don’t fall victim to the ABN myth. If you think medically unlikely edits (MUEs) ... Read more
Reader Question:
Wait Until Oct. 1, 2014, to Use ICD-10
Question: Our practice is considering submitting claims with ICD-10 codes before the imp... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Atypical Nevus Diagnosis
Question: I can’t seem to find a clear diagnosis code for personal history of atyp... Read more
Closures:
Simple, Intermediate, Complex Closures: A Many-Layered Coding Decision
Dermatologist’s documentation is the key. All closures aren’t created equa... Read more
News You Can Use:
You're Saved From 26.5 Percent Physician Pay Cut
But RVU changes still in effect. Dermatologists can expect a reprieve from the dreaded... Read more
Practice Management:
3 Tips Clean Up Your Incident-To Billing
Steer clear of 2013 OIG Work Plan scrutiny. If your dermatology practice utilizes non-... Read more
Ordering/Referring:
6 Steps Help You Reduce PECOS Edit Losses
Tip: Check your current referring info to avert financial crisis in May. You’d b... Read more
Reader Question:
Let Medical Necessity Rule Code Choice
Question: Our dermatologist is a very thorough documenter and treats very sick patients.... Read more
Reader Question:
Keep a Record of Your Provider's Signature Variations
Question: We’re having trouble making sure our providers meet signature requiremen... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Wart Excision With Fulguration
Question: Our physician performed an excision of two warts (one from the elbow and one f... Read more
Closures:
12001 or 13100? Consider More Than Layers to Code Correct Closure Level
Follow our tips to dig deeper and find the differences between ‘simple,’ &ls... Read more
Practice Management:
Get Ready For OIG Scrutiny of Modifiers and More
Audit yourself before the feds come calling. Your dermatology practice could come unde... Read more
E/M Coding:
Implement These 5 Simple Steps to Boost Your E/M Bottom Line
Heads up: Dig past ‘follow-up’ for acceptable chief complaint. E/M coding ... Read more
Overpayments:
Medicare Now Has 5 Years to Request Money Back From Your Practice
Previous 3-year lookback period was extended with ‘fiscal cliff’ legislation... Read more
Reader Question:
Question Medicare for 17003 Claims
Question: We recently reported codes 17000 and 17003 to Medicare for reimbursement. Thou... Read more
Reader Question:
Capture Margin Re-Excision
Question:  The dermatologist performs a lesion re-excision for margin removal becau... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Physician's Report for Multiple Lesion Fragments
Question:  I just received a pathology report back that reads: "The largest se... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Melanoma Re-Excision, Not Including Fascia
Question: Our dermatologist re-excised a melanoma with an area that was 12 cm long and 3... Read more
CPT® 2013:
Clear Up Pedicle Flap Confusion with 15740 Changes
Named vessel is key. Changes to CPT® 2013 "other flaps and grafts" instr... Read more
2013 Payment:
Last-Minute Congressional Vote Reverses Across-the-Board Pay Cuts
Medical societies still hopeful for new formula to halt this annual nail-biter. As man... Read more
EHR:
Does Your Electronic Prescription System Pass Muster?
Get started now to avoid further pay hits in 2014. Incentives for using electronic pre... Read more
Documentation:
Avoid Billing E/M Service Based on Cloned Documentation, Or the OIG Will Come Knocking
Ensure your EMR is not setting you up for failure. If you have reviewed the HHS Offic... Read more
Reader Questions:
Friction Burns Still Count As 'Burns'
Question: A patient presented with multiple friction burns from a treadmill. He had part... Read more
Reader Questions:
ABN Smooths Billing for Benign Excisions
Question:  I bill for a dermatology practice. Our state Medicaid doesn’t cove... Read more
Reader Questions:
Legibility Matters, CMS Stresses
Question: I have heard payers are cracking down on illegible provider documentation. My ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Inform Patients Before Collecting Co-Pays Upfront
Question: One of our providers returned from a meeting, saying he had talked to other pr... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Skin Cancer Screening
Question: My dermatologist sees a patient for a skin cancer screening. Should I use the ... Read more
Mohs Procedures:
Mohs or Excision Codes? Look at Dermatologist's Role for Answer
Ask yourself: Is the physician working as both the surgeon and the pathologist? The Mo... Read more
CCI:
Modifiers 24 And 57 Will Soon Allow You to Bypass CCI Edits
Plus: You can also override bundles with modifiers LM and RI We’ve all heard the... Read more
CMS News:
Update Your Revalidation Plan With New CMS Instruction
Kinder, gentler process forestalls ‘revocation.’ Don’t lose your abi... Read more
Fee Schedule:
Brace Your Practice for a 26.5 Percent Drop in Medicare Pay Next Year
Watch for deep cuts to some complex repair codes in 2013. Every year at this time p... Read more
Reader Question:
Re-Excision Depends on Timing
Question: The dermatologist performs a lesion re-excision for margin removal becaus... Read more
Reader Question:
238.2: Code Original Excision Dx
Question: A patient comes in for a re-excision of a dysplastic nevus. Do I bill the re-e... Read more
Reader Question:
New Year, New Insurance = New Verification
Question: How should I file a claim on a patient who has new coverage but has not receiv... Read more
Reader Question:
Get Patient's Signature on Records Transfers
Question: We were forced to discharge a patient. She paid for a copy of her medical reco... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Follow-Up Coding for 10060
Question: A patient saw our physician because of an abscess, and returned for a follow-u... Read more
Available Years:  2013  2012  2011  2010  2009  2007  2006  2005  2004