Internal Medicine Coding Alert
Dont Hold Your Breath Over O2
Question: Should we bill for oxygen administration and the oxygen? South Carolina Subscriber Answer: No CPT code exists for oxygen administration. Therefore, you should include the service in the E/M. Although Medicare includes codes for oxygen-related supplies in the HCPCS level-two book, it covers these items for home use only. So, you should not charge Medicare for physician-used masks or tubing, such as A4620 (Variable concentration mask), A4621 (Tracheostomy mask or collar) and A4616 (Tubing [oxygen], per foot]). Medicare covers these supplies under the durable medical equipment (DME) benefit, which allows payment for DME only if the beneficiary owns or is purchasing the equipment. Commercial insurers may, however, reimburse for the supplies with the A codes. Some other private payers may reimburse for the supplies with 99070 (Supplies and materials [except spectacles], provided by the physician over and above those usually included with the office visit or other services rendered [list drugs, trays, supplies, or materials provided]). Consequently, you should ask the carrier for its requirements.
Internal Medicine Coding Alert
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Question: Insurers keep denying trigger point injection (TPI) claims with 20550. For instance, my family [...] - Modifier -22:
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In a recent Program Memorandum, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expanded its list [...] - READER QUESTION:
A Dime a MinuteApplies in the Office
Question: How should I code for Coumadin management when our physician does the evaluation and [...] - READER QUESTION:
Inject a Reason
Question: Apatient presents with elevated blood sugar. Aphysician administers an insulin injection to control the [...] - READER QUESTION:
Stop Stressing Over ECGs
Question: Our internist performed an electrocardiogram (ECG) prior to giving the patient a stress test. [...] - READER QUESTION:
Dont Hold Your Breath Over O2
Question: Should we bill for oxygen administration and the oxygen? South Carolina Subscriber Answer: No [...]
