General Surgery Coding Alert
Relative Value File Gives You Global Information
You can find global periods for all CPT procedure codes by consulting Medicare's National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File, which you may download from the CMS Web site (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PhysicianFeeSched/PFSRVF/list.asp#TopOfPage). Be sure to select the most recent file for download. To determine the global period for a particular procedure, simply look to the "GLOB DAYS" column of the fee schedule. You will find several categories, including "000" (zero), "010," "090," "XXX," "ZZZ," "YYY" and "MMM" (for maternity codes). Note that individual carriers may classify as "major" some procedures with a "YYY" global period. To ensure you-re selecting the correct modifier, check with your individual carrier before reporting an E/M service with these procedures.
General Surgery Coding Alert
- Here's Your Wound 'Exploration' Explanation
Extent of repair will help to guide your code choice When your surgeon "explores" a [...] - Modifier 25 Isn't Always the Answer for Same-Day E/M
Keep E/M documentation apart to demonstrate the service's -separate- status To report an E/M service [...] - Relative Value File Gives You Global Information
You can find global periods for all CPT procedure codes by consulting Medicare's National Physician [...] - You Be the Coder:
How Do FNA and Puncture Aspiration Differ?
Question: I-ve always been somewhat confused by the difference between fine needle aspiration (10021-10022) and [...] - Update:
Stick With 47379 for Lap. Liver Bx.
A recent You Be the Coder ("What Code for Lap Liver Bx," General Surgery Coding [...] - Reader Questions:
Separate Session = Billable Control of Bleeding
Question: I understand that you should include control of bleeding during a surgical procedure as [...] - Reader Questions:
Avoid Cat. I Code for Autologous Plasma Grafts
Question: Is there a CPT code for the use of autologous platelet rich plasma grafts [...] - Reader Questions:
Follow-Up Thrombectomy Calls for 79
Question: A week following creation of an AV fistula, the surgeon had to perform a [...] - Reader Questions:
Coordinate Documentation for In-Office Referrals
Question: For a patient interested in taking the M2A capsule to diagnose her small-bowel pain, [...] - Reader Questions:
Select Fifth Digit for Bed Sore Dx.
Question: Recently, we received a denial for debridement of a decubitus ulcer, coded as 11040. [...] - Reader Questions:
Biopsy Can Be Separate From Mastectomy
Question: If the surgeon performs a breast biopsy, and if frozen section comes back positive, [...]
