Internal Medicine Coding Alert
Check Payer Policy Before Reporting Bandage Wrap as Strapping
Question: A patient reports with a swollen right index finger that she injured while catching a basketball awkwardly. The internist performed an x-ray (two views; results negative), then wrapped the finger in a 3-inch-wide ACE bandage. Can we report the bandage supply in addition to the CPT procedure codes?
Nevada Subscriber
Answer: Yes, you can report the ACE bandage supply; you should also make sure your payer considers this a strapping procedure before filing.
Remember: To some payers, wrapping a digit with an ACE bandage does not constitute strapping. These payers will want to see the proper-level evaluation and management code for the service rather than the strapping code.
If you are unsure of your payer's policy on strapping claims, contact a representative before filing this claim. If your payer considers ACE bandage wrapping to be strapping, you should:
• report 73120 (Radiologic examination, hand; two views) for the x-ray.
• report 29280 (Strapping; hand or finger) for the strapping.
• report A6449 (Light compression bandage, elastic, knitted/woven, width greater than or equal to 3 inches and less than 5 inches, per yard) for the bandage supply.
• attach 842.10 (Sprains and strains of hand; unspecified site) to 73120, 29280 and A6448 to represent the patient's injury.
• attach E917.0 (Striking against or struck accidentally by objects or persons; in sports without subsequent fall) to 73120, 29280 and A6448 to represent the cause of the patient's injury.
Internal Medicine Coding Alert
- Master Frequency Rules, Risk Categories for Medicare Colonoscopy Screenings
Medicare has specific frequency requirements for average- and high-risk patients
Medicare patients who present to your [...] - Remember 'Rule of Nines' When Calculating Patient's Burned Body Area
When a patient has multiple burns, make sure to include a dx for each one
When [...] - YOU BE THE CODER:
ABPM Readings
Question: Our internist recently performed an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring on a patient with elevated [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Choose Single ICD-9 Code to Represent Aortic/Mitral Valve Condition
Question: The internist ordered an electrocardiogram for a patient diagnosed with stenosis of the aortic [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
When Internist Removes ED Stitches, Opt for E/M Code
Question: An established patient with three scalp sutures reports to the internist for suture removal. [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Dermabond/Suture Combo Calls for Wound Care Code
Question: An established Medicare patient reports to the internist after falling from the stairs on [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Check Payer Policy Before Reporting Bandage Wrap as Strapping
Question: A patient reports with a swollen right index finger that she injured while catching [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Confirm Physician Involvement, Instrumentation Before Coding Cerumen Removal
Question: If a patient reports to the internist for removal of cerumen (earwax), what code [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Size Matters When Choosing Devitalized Tissue Removal Code
Question: A patient with a pressure ulcer on his shoulder blades reported to the office, [...] - Correction:
Reflect Phenergan With HCPCS Code J2550, Not J2250
When coding for Phenergan, don’t mix up the “25” with a “22.”
[...]
