Gastroenterology Coding Alert
Dont Solicit PEG Pay for Nurses
Question: If our gastroenterologist inserted a PEG tube with the help of a nurse, should we code the nurse as an assistant? We will be reimbursed for the nurse's services? GAC Subscriber Answer: Coding confusion about PEG-tube placement is easily traced any procedure becomes more difficult to code when it requires two sets of hands to be completed. If a nurse or technician is helping with the percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement, the gastroenterologist locates the desired position of the tube before handing the scope over to his assistant. It is the gastroenterologist who then makes the incision to secure the tube in place. You would code a PEG tube placed by a gastroen-terologist and a nurse with 43246 (Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy including esophagus, stomach, and either the duodenum and/or jejunum as appropriate; with directed placement of percutaneous gastrostomy tube). The physician will receive 100 percent of the allowed amount; however, the nurse will receive no separate, additional reimbursement.
Gastroenterology Coding Alert
- Part I:
Find a Diagnosis for Your GERD Coding Pains
It's imperative that patients undergo a variety of diagnostic tests before a physician chooses surgical [...] - Real-World Coding Exposed:
Practices See Reimbursement for Hepatitis Follow-Up Care
Question: Our gastroenterologists take care of the initial hepatitis visit and counseling. Our GI nurses [...] - Find Answers for Your Shared-Service Woes
Shockwaves reverberated through the coding community when Medicare implemented its new split-billing policy, so it's [...] - You Be the Coder:
Report Symptoms Versus Inconclusive Results
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Reader Question:
Be Careful With Patient Medications and Injections
Question: Our gastrointestinal nurses are billing for office injections at level one. Is this appropriate [...] - Reader Question:
RNs Bill Under Physician PIN
Question: Should our gastrointestinal nurses have PIN numbers? North Carolina Subscriber Answer: This is an [...] - Reader Question:
Report Injections and Polypectomy Separately
Question: If we report a submucosal injection with a polypectomy, it is considered as two [...] - Reader Question:
Follow Consultation Rules
Question: If our doctor sends a letter and treatment plan to a referring physician, should [...] - Rely on Family to Get Through the Multiple Endoscopy Maze
Do you know how to handle coding for more than one EGD service performed at [...] - You Be the Coder:
Dont Solicit PEG Pay for Nurses
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Check for Diligent Documentation of Multiple EGDs
Don't let documentation be your downfall when you code multiple EGDs.
Thanks to the frequent [...] - Weigh Your Options Before Coding PEG-Tube Placement
There's more than one way to code a PEG tube placed by more than one [...] - Remember 4 Things When Using Modifier -62
When two surgeons work together to perform one procedure, each physician's individual documentation requirements can [...] - Reader Question:
Discontinue ERCP,See EGD
Question: My gastroenterologist started performing an ERCP but couldn't find the ampulla of Vater. He [...] - Reader Question:
Determine Codes From Documentation
Question: My gastroenterologist documented performing an EGD with EUS for a patient who presented with [...] - Reader Question:
Code PEG Removal by Method
Question: Can we bill for the removal of a PEG tube, or is it included [...] - Reader Question:
Decipher Lingo to Apply -53
Question: How do I tell when a procedure should be coded as discontinued? For example, [...]
