Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Question: I am trying to come up with a list for my gastroenterologists to follow before they submit an op report to the coding department. Is there a short list I can give them with the most important elements of a successful claim?

Idaho Subscriber

Answer: Experts suggest that you need four things to translate notes and numbers on an operative report into dollars on a claim:

• Make certain the notes are legible.

• Make certain the notes are given to the coder before she processes the claim.

• Don't submit any claim to the coding department unless the gastroenterologist who provided the service has finished filling out the op report and included all notes and other documents.

• Make certain the notes include any unusual circumstances surrounding the patient visit. 

If you have this information from your physicians, you should have a much greater chance of claim success.