ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
If Physician Makes No Incision, Opt for E/M
Question: A patient presents to the ED with shards of glass from a shattered light bulb in his chest. The physician removes the shards and sends the patient home. Is this considered a foreign-body removal (FBR)? Nevada Subscriber Answer: Maybe -- you-ll have to get more information from the physician before coding this scenario. Even though the physician did remove FBs, it might not be considered an FBR for coding purposes. If the physician had to make a separate incision during the FB extractions, the procedure is an FBR and you should code it with one of the following: - 10120 (Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple) for simple FBRs - 10121 (- complicated) for complicated FBRs. However, if the physician removed the shards without any extra incisions, consider the work part of the overall E/M service and code accordingly.
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
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If Physician Makes No Incision, Opt for E/M
Question: A patient presents to the ED with shards of glass from a shattered light [...] - Reader Questions:
When Physician Performs Both, E/M Trumps Ventilator Management
Question: I have a tough coding choice to make. The physician performs initial-day ventilation management [...]
