Gastroenterology Coding Alert
Medicare Still Won't Pay for CS
Most experts aren't surprised by Medicare's decision. -I have dealt with Medicare, and they say that uncomfortable procedures that require sedation have CS built into the surgical global fee,- says Scott Groudine, MD, an Albany, N.Y., anesthesiologist.
Groudine does see some hope for the future, however: -I would not be surprised if there were an attempt to provide payment for physicians who are solely giving sedation to children under 5 years old (99148) because CS in these cases actually means more work than when performed on an adult. If there is to be any payment for CS codes [by Medicare], I think it would start in the pediatric sedation codes.-
Gastroenterology Coding Alert
- Gastros Gain a Code for Enteryx, but You'll Face New Challenges
Recall means you won't likely access 0133T
CPT 2006 adds 0133T to describe implant injections to [...] - Fill the E/M Gap With Rest Home Service Codes
You'll need 3 of 3 key components to choose a service level for new patients
You [...] - CPT Update in Brief:
Now's the Time to Update Your Consult Coding
Access modifier 32 for mandated services
The deletion of follow-up inpatient (99261-99263) and confirmatory (99271-99275) consultations [...] - You Be the Coder:
Does Argon Plasma Call for a Special Code?
Question: Our gastroenterologist performed an EGD with Argon plasma coagulation for control of bleeding. What's [...] - CPT Clarifies Conscious Sedation Billing
Look to Appendix G for a complete list of services that include CS
Physician offices have [...] - Get to Know Your New Conscious Sedation Codes
Be sure to document medication and dose when reporting CS
Revisions in CPT 2006 mean you [...] - Medicare Still Won't Pay for CS
In years past, Medicare considered conscious sedation procedures 99141-99142 bundled services in all cases, and [...] - Reimbursement 'Heads-up!':
Medicare Cuts Conversion Factor 4.4 Percent for 2006
You can expect your payments from Medicare to shrink in 2006.
CMS released its 2006 Physician [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Call on 44385 for Pouchoscopy
Question: My gastroenterologist's documentation states that he performed a -pouchoscopy.- What is this, and how [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Modifier 78 Helps With Complications
Question: Can we gain reimbursement if our gastroenterologist performs a flexible sigmoidoscopy with control of [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Separate Documentation Important for Modifier 62
Question: Recently, our gastroenterologist performed an EGD during the same session in which a surgeon [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Charge Outpatient Consult for Observation
Question: Another doctor asked my GI physician for a consult with a patient who had [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Stick With 99218-99220 for 8 or Fewer Hours
Question: When is it appropriate to report initial observation (99218-99220) with discharge (99217) versus observation [...] - The Future Of Gastroenterology:
How To Prosper Despite Coming Changes
Presented by Joel V. Brill, MD
The following supplement to Gastroenterology Coding Alert is the transcript [...] - Correction
The December 2005 Gastroenterology Coding Alert included a typographical error on page 96 in the [...]
