Internal Medicine Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
Bilateral X-Ray Doesn't Always Mean -50
Published on Tue Feb 15, 2011
Question:
Answer:
Report the appropriate radiology code on two separate lines of your claim, such as 73560 (Radiologic examination, knee; 1 or 2 views). Although you're reporting x-rays of mirrorimage body parts, you don't normally include modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure) when submitting claims for bilateral radiology exams.Alternative:
Some payers might request the procedure code with modifiers LT (Left side) and RT (Right side) to differentiate the tests. Other payers might direct you to report the procedure code only once, with "2" in the units of service box on the claim form. Work with your payers to determine the correct method of filing.Other Articles in this issue of
Internal Medicine Coding Alert
- Closures:
12001 or 13100? Consider More Than Tissue Layers to Code Exact Closure Level
Follow these tips to find the differences between 'simple,' 'intermediate,' and 'complex.' All closures aren't [...] - CPT 2011:
New Observation Codes 99224, 99225, 99226 Help Answer the 'Middle Day' Code Dilemma
Expanded choices eliminate payer-to-payer coding variation.2011 brings a new coding option when reporting the middle [...] - Rural Care:
Medicare Lagging on Implementing Preventive Service Fee Waivers
PPACA waived fees starting Jan. 1, but CMS won't until April 4.The Centers for Medicare [...] - You Be the Coder:
Remember Your Anatomy on Sub-Q FBRs
Question: I have a puzzling denial in front of me. The internist used a scalpel [...] - Reader Questions:
Bilateral X-Ray Doesn't Always Mean -50
Question: Our internist x-rayed a patient's symptomatic knee and ordered an x-ray of the other [...] - Reader Questions:
Medical Necessity Could Mean Extra Hemoccult Pay
Question: Preventive care guidelines state that hemoccult slides are covered once each year, but the [...] - Reader Questions:
Dates and Physician Presence Dictate 99221 Alone or With Office Visit
Question: Our physician saw a patient in the office, and then admitted her to the [...] - Reader Questions:
Consider Skin Biopsy Timing, Location, Intent
Question: How do I know when to report skin biopsy separately with, or in place [...] - Reader Questions:
Don't Mix Family History With Personal History
Question: My understanding has been that I cannot bill for "family history of" a condition. [...] - Reader Questions:
Check Each Component Before Submitting 80053
Question: The physician ordered a basic metabolic panel and hepatic function panel for a patient. [...]
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