General Surgery Coding Alert
Capitalize on Assigned Payment Values For New Repair Codes
The new CPT 2009 codes you-ll have for laparoscopic hernia repair will mean that you-ll no longer have to leave it up to your payers to determine how much your surgeons earn for these procedures. When you were forced to use an unlisted code, you were also forced to let the payer determine your payment. Now you-ll be able to calculate the reimbursement you can expect on the new codes. Take a look at this chart to see the assigned relative value units (RVUs) for each of the six new codes and the payment amounts (unadjusted for geographic location). We-ve calculated the unadjusted payments using the now official 2009 conversion factor of $36.0666. (See the article "Medicare Lowers Conversion Factor to $36.0666 for 2009" on page 21 for more about this year's conversion factor.) 
General Surgery Coding Alert
- CPT 2009 Update:
Celebrate the Addition of 6 New Lap Hernia Repair Codes
You won't have to rely on unlisted procedure codes -- and unpredictable reimbursement -- anymore. Any time [...] - CPT 2009 Update:
Prepare to Get Specific With Prolonged Services Coding
You-ll have one less modifier to contend with in 2009. If you-re used to adding [...] - News You Can Use:
Medicare Lowers Conversion Factor to $36.0666 for 2009
But you won't feel as much of a crunch, thanks to a budget neutrality adjustment. [...] - You Be the Coder:
What Warrants a Level-Four Consultation?
Question: I have a question regarding E/M coding for our office, a general surgery practice. [...] - Reader Questions:
Support Appendectomy With Medical Necessity
Question: During bariatric surgery (43846) on a patient, the surgeon removed the patient's appendix. Can [...] - Reader Questions:
E/M Is Your Best Bet for Suture Removal
Question: I have a case where the patient went out of state for surgery (a [...] - Reader Questions:
Capture Supporting Information With E Codes
Question: I-ve never really understood E codes and when I should use them. Would you [...] - Capitalize on Assigned Payment Values For New Repair Codes
The new CPT 2009 codes you-ll have for laparoscopic hernia repair will mean that you-ll [...] - 3 Questions Determine Which New Code to Use
1. What is the location? For all hernia repairs, you must know what type of [...]
