Home Health & Hospice Week

Do you know how to bill this type of visit?

Make sure your staff know to count NPWT versus non-NPWT time when a new billing policy hits in January.

In the 2017 HH PPS final rule issued Oct. 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offers billing guidance scenarios for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy — including this example of dual billing:

“On Monday, the nurse applies a new disposable NPWT device, and provides instructions for ongoing wound care. During this same visit, per the HH plan of care, the nurse changes the indwelling catheter and provides troubleshooting information and teaching regarding its maintenance. In this scenario, the billing procedures are as follows:

++ The visit included applying a new disposable NPWT device as well as services unrelated to that NPWT service, which means the HHA will submit both a TOB 34x and a TOB 32x.

++ For furnishing NPWT using a disposable device, that is, the application of the new disposable NPWT device and the time spent instructing the beneficiary about ongoing wound care, the HHA would bill using a TOB 34x with CPT® code 97607 or 97608.

++ For services not associated with furnishing NPWT using a disposable device, that is, for the replacement of the indwelling catheter and instructions about troubleshooting and maintenance, the HHA would bill under TOB 32x.”

Resource: See more scenarios in the rule at https://federalregister.gov/d/2016-26290.