Advanced Search

General Surgery Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Add Modifier 24 For Treatment Discussion During Global

Published on Wed Sep 22, 2010

Question: A patient came in for the biopsy report after a 90-day global procedure. The doctor talked to the patient about results and different types of treatment for 55 minutes. How can I capture payment for this visit?Virginia Subscriber Answer: Since you are within the surgical global, you should report the appropriate office visit code, such as 99215 (Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient ...). This visit is not a postoperative follow up examination related to the previous surgical procedure so you can report the E/M service.You'll be billing based on time, so since the documentation states 55 minutes, 99215 is the best code to use.Caveat: You need to append modifier 24 (Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician during a postoperative period) to your E/M code.Reader Questions and You Be the Coder were prepared with the assistance of Marcella Bucknam, [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

General Surgery Coding Alert

View All