Internal Medicine Coding Alert
ABPM Readings
Question: Our internist recently performed an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring on a patient with elevated blood pressure (no hypertension). Using the magnetically taped test data and scanning analysis from the ABPM machine (which the office owns), the internist provides his own interpretation and a separate report on the results. Which code should I use for the ABPM?
Montana Subscriber
Answer: Since your internist owned the equipment, and he performed the interpretation and report on the test results, you should report 93784 (Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, utilizing a system such as magnetic tape and/or computer disk, for 24 hours or longer; including recording, scanning analysis, interpretation and report).
Also, link 796.2 (Elevated blood pressure reading without diagnosis of hypertension) to 93784 to prove medical necessity for the encounter.
Sometimes, the internist does not perform all portions of the ABPM listed in the 93784 descriptor. When this occurs, choose one of the following codes based on your internist's involvement:
• 93786--... recording only
• 93788--... scanning analysis with report
• 93790--... physician review with interpretation and report
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.”
[...]
