ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Remember V Code for MRSA Patients
Question: A patient arrives in the ED in a critical state. The ED physician provides 38 minutes of critical care to stabilize the patient, and makes a diagnosis of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What are the proper diagnosis codes for this condition? Connecticut Subscriber Answer: You-ll need a pair of ICD-9 codes to account for MRSA, a very serious infection that is antibiotic-resistant and can lead to even more severe infections. If left unchecked, the condition can devolve into a "flesh-eating" necrotizing fasciitis infection. On the claim, report the following: - 99291 (Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes) for the critical care - 041.11 (Staphylococcus aureus) linked to 99291 to identify the infection - V09.0 (Infection with microorganisms resistant to penicillins) linked to 99291 to show that the infection is drug-resistant.
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
- Let Length of Service Guide Your Observation Code Choice
8-hour mark is crucial for Medicare patients When your ED physician performs observation services, the [...] - Discover Pathology Before Choosing Excision Code
Most ED excisions occur on benign lesions Lesion excision coding can be a breeze if [...] - Clip and Save:
Check Out These Observation Coding Do's and Don'ts
FAQ shines light on lesser-known observation conventions When coding observation services, knowing the proper code [...] - You Be the Coder:
Multiple Laceration Repairs
Question: I am having some trouble coding this laceration repair scenario: A patient reports to [...] - Reader Questions:
Tally System Reviews for Complete ROS Picture
Question: There are three review of systems (ROS) levels: problem-pertinent, extended and complete. What are [...] - Reader Questions:
Opt for E/M When Physician Bandages Laceration
Question: A mother brings her 10-year-old daughter to the ED. The child fell from her [...] - Reader Questions:
Let Payer Guide 25 Use on FAST Claim
Question A patient reports to the ED after crashing his snowmobile into another snowmobile. He [...] - Reader Questions:
Remember V Code for MRSA Patients
Question: A patient arrives in the ED in a critical state. The ED physician provides [...] - Reader Questions:
Thoracentesis Codes Make a Move in CPT 2008
Question: Our ED physician performed thoracentesis via pleural cavity puncture on a patient in early [...] - Reader Questions:
Watch for Bundles on Burn Coding
Question: A patient came in with first- and second-degree burns on her hand. The physician [...] - Reader Questions:
End Confusion on Cancer-Free Dx
Question: If a patient has a diagnosis of cancer, how would I report this on [...] - Clarification
In ED Coding Alert volume 11, no. 2, the Reader Question "Boost E/M Level When [...]
