ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Know the key component of 16000 and put burn coding questions on ice. When the ED physician treats a lesser burn, it might only result in an E/M service -- but you can legitimately increase your reimbursement if you find evidence of burn treatment along with a separately identifiable E/M. Hit the target every time, and avoid getting the third degree from payers, by following this advice on burn treatment coding. Choose E/M If You Find no Treatment Evidence Step 1 in burn treatment coding is deciding whether you can use a code from the 16000 series. While a patient might technically be burned, you cannot automatically choose a 160xx code, confirms Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CCS, CPC-P, COBGC, CCC, manager of compliance education for the University of Washington Physicians and Childrens University Medical Group Compliance Program. If a burn does not require any treatment, then 16000 [series] codes may [...]