Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

E/M Coding:
2021 and Beyond: Code Group Reshaping Continues in 2022, 2023
Did you know that other E/M code sets will get overhauls like 99202-99215? If you thought... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Make Migraine (Coding) Pain Go Away With 5th, 6th Character Smarts
Here's why drilling down into the notes will pay off for coders. Choosing the correct di... Read more
Modifier Madness:
Go Beyond 25 When You Need Another E/M Modifier
Global period questions dominate decisions on modifiers 24, 57. Every practice is familia... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use MDM Knowledge to Table E/M Risk Concerns
Question: Both the Elements of Medical Decision Making (MDM) table in the 2021 CPT® Manua... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Info Surrounding ECoG Before Choosing Code
Question: When the provider performs an electrocorticogram (ECoG), how should I report th... Read more
Reader Questions:
Find Most TIA Codes in G45.-
Question: I'm still pretty new to neurology coding, and I'm curious about the different ty... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Alcohol-Related Cerebral Degeneration Diagnoses
Question: Notes indicate that the provider saw a patient with “alcoholic encephalopathy.... Read more
ICD-10 2022:
Get a Grip on New Spondyloarthritis Code Set for 2022
Also, low back pain notches three new Dx codes. We've been reporting on ICD-10 2022 for a... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Have Patience When Coding for Stenosis Patients
Once diagnosis is established, treatment options are numerous. Patients reporting for dia... Read more
E/M Coding:
Use Keen Eye, Coding Smarts to Tackle Observation Coding
Remember different codes for different payers, types of stays. Reporting observation se... Read more
Reader Questions:
New ICD-10 Codes Still Leave Chronic Questions
Question: How do I code acute or chronic lower back pain? Even with the new ICD-10 codes i... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Omit Excludes1, Excludes2 Dx Knowledge
Question: I am still confused by the Excludes1 and Excludes2 instructions in ICD-10. Can y... Read more
Reader Questions:
Dupuytren’s Contracture Questions? We’ve Got Answers
Question: I'm stumped. Notes indicate that the provider performed collagenase injection fo... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Counting Nerve Conduction Tests
Question: Notes indicate that the provider performed sensory nerve conduction test using e... Read more
CPT® 2022:
99211 Revision Highlights New Code Set
Here's why the AMA deleted a key phrase from the office/outpatient E/M code. The AMA has... Read more
ICD-10 CM:
Drill Down on These Dxs With More Specific Codes
Cervicogenic headache will get its own code. No need for alarm, but this is the month you... Read more
E/M Coding:
Don’t Put off Understanding Prolonged Services Codes any Longer
Here's why you cannot add prolonged service codes to service levels calculated by MDM. Co... Read more
Reader Questions:
Follow This Guide to Brain Mapping Success
Question: What is functional brain mapping and how do I code for it? I've been in neurolog... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get the Basics Straight for Modifier 24 Success
Question: What are the proper situations to use modifier 24? We are having a debate in the... Read more
Reader Questions:
Choose MDM Level Carefully When Considering Drug Therapy
Question: What qualifies as “drug therapy requiring monitoring” in the high-risk level... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Different Terms, Same ICD-10 Code
Question: Notes indicate that the provider treated a patient with “retinal migraine.” ... Read more
E/M Coding:
Experts Highlight Ups, Downs of New E/M Descriptors
Tweaks to rules implemented January 1 might not be over. We're about three-quarters of th... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Take the Guesswork out of Coding Pain Dx
Know when to use G89 as primary, secondary Dx. Coding for patients' pain is going to be ... Read more
Modifier Madness:
Put Modifier 59 Concerns to Rest With Coding Knowledge
Remember the X{EPSU} modifier options, too. Payers never stop scrutinizing claims that li... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use Unlisted Code When Others Don’t Describe Procedure
Question: I've reported CPT® code 64999 for an erector spinae pain block for years, but ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Follow These Steps Before Choosing Consult Code
Question: Our pain management specialist offered consultation services to a patient who wa... Read more
Reader Questions:
Report Observation Codes for More Than Primary Dx
Question: Should we report the observation diagnosis codes (Z03-Z05) as primary diagnoses... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Get to the Most Correct E/M Level
Question: Notes indicate that the provider performed an office evaluation and management (... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
ICD-10 2022 Gets Specific on Low Back Pain, Concussions
Get hip to the new codes before autumn. When the calendar flips to October, you're going ... Read more
E/M Coding:
Remember Different Coding Rules for ED E/Ms
Those major 2021 updates don't apply to 99281-99285. When your provider provides service... Read more
Diagnosis Coding Corner:
Ask the Right Questions for Cervical Disc Disorder Dx Success
Know when you can, and cannot, combine conditions into a single Dx code. Patients suffer... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Over Terminology Hurdles With MEG Coding
Question: Out provider performed a test that was referred to in the notes as a “MEG.” ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Chew Through Jaw Pain Dx Issues With ICD-10 Smarts
Question: What is the difference between a developmental disorder of the jaws and an... Read more
Reader Questions:
Patient Consciousness Matters for EEG
Question: Does it matter if the patient is awake or asleep during an electroencephalogram ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Pick From Several Osteoarthritis ICD-10 Codes
Question: What is polyosteoarthritis, and how do I choose an ICD-10 code for the condition... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Break Down Brand-New Prolonged Services Changes
Question: Our provider performed an office evaluation and management (E/M) service for a n... Read more
Studies:
Break EMG/NCS Coding Down Into Component Codes
Do you know which codes go with EMG to complete NCS? Patients reporting to your practice ... Read more
Back to Basics:
Give Injection/Infusion Coding a Shot of Expertise
Use this primer to decide how to arrive at injection/infusion type. Before you can sele... Read more
Testing:
Keep EEG/VEEG Rules Straight for Proper Coding
Remember that you should report 95700 only once per recording period. You may be stumped ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Report Prolonged Services With Telehealth E/M … Maybe
Question: Our provider performed an office evaluation and management (E/M) service ov... Read more
Reader Questions:
Pump Breaks on ICD-11 Expectations
Question: I listened in on a webinar recently where the speaker said to prepare now for IC... Read more
Reader Questions:
Count MDM Bullets Carefully With New E/M Rules
Question: I am still getting used to the new rules for office/outpatient evaluation and ma... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use Expert Advice When Choosing Dx for Spinal Compression Fx
Question: I'm a little unclear on spinal compression fractures. What exactly are they, and... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Dx Coding for Neck Sprain
Question: My provider treated a patient complaining of neck pain. The encounter notes indi... Read more
2021 E/M Q&A:
Experts Weigh in on New Reporting Rules
Focusing on MDM has changed the calculus for coders, providers. When the AMA decided tha... Read more
Testing:
Shorten List of Coding Concerns With Long-Term EEG/VEEG Smarts
Here's why you should only report 95700 once per recording period. Let's be honest: It's ... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Dive Deep Into Notes to I.D. MS
Knowing symptoms can help with MS Dx coding. When there's only a single ICD-10 code for ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Provider Info Before Choosing fMRI Code
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient came to the office and received a f... Read more
Reader Questions:
Pump Breaks on ICD-11 Expectations
Question: I listened in on a webinar recently where the speaker said to prepare now for IC... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Blink and You’ll Miss This Blepharospasm Dx Exception
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient reported to the office for evaluation an... Read more
News You Can Use:
E/M Directives Get AMA Tweaks
Remember that the changes are retroactive to January 1. When the AMA released the new rul... Read more
E/M Coding:
Experts Clarify New AMA E/M Rulings
Recent updates shed more light on the 2021 office/outpatient E/M revisions. If you missed... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Stop Sciatica Mistakes Before They Happen
The 1 key to correct Dx coding: Location, location, location. When it comes to reporting... Read more
E/M Coding:
Remember Rules for Hospital E/M Admission, Care Coding
Use 1 set of codes for initial hospital care. With all the attention surrounding the rev... Read more
Reader Questions:
Unprocessable Means Unpayable
Question: We received an “unprocessable” claim from our Medicare Administrative Contra... Read more
Reader Questions:
Clear Up Brachial Plexus Block Questions Before Coding
Question: The provider administered a brachial plexus block. He wants to bill this with 8 ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know Which Evoked Potential Tests Go With Which Codes
Question: Notes indicate our provider performed an evoked potential test. How should ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get HIPAA Rules Straight Before Emailing Patients
Question: Our patients frequently ask if we can send them appointment reminders or bills v... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Coding E/M for Migraine Patient
Question: Notes indicate that the provider performed an office/ outpatient evaluation and ... Read more
Q&A:
Get Specific to Ring Up Successful Bell’s Palsy Dx
This primer shows you how to navigate the G51.0 code. While ICD-10 only contains a single... Read more
Modifier Madness:
Use 52, 53 to Explain Stopped Surgeries
Here's the narrow set of circumstances that qualify for modifier 53 coding. When a surgeo... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Strengthen Musculoskeletal Smarts With ‘M’ Code Knowledge
Make the mystery surrounding M00-M99 disappear. You know all too well that even the most... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Check for Behavioral Disturbance to Nail Vascular Dementia Dx
Question: Notes indicate that the provider performed an office evaluation and management (... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use These Codes Most Often for Hospital Admit
Question: Our provider often does rounds at the hospital and the other day, he admitted a ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Tap Into TAP Smarts
Question: What is a TAP catheter, and how do you report it on a claim? Hawaii Subscriber ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Stick to the Specifics on Venipuncture Codes
Question: Aside from the age restrictions, what is the difference between venipuncture cod... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Back Up Decompression/Discography Claims With Coding Knowledge
Do you know which of these procedures is diagnostic? Though they are situated right next ... Read more
Q&A:
Use These Tips to Clean Up Chemodenervation Claims
Use this modifier when there's Botox® wastage to report. Last month, we addressed the ta... Read more
Telehealth:
PREP Act Update Gives Coders More to Chew on
Heed this expert advice to stay safe and compliant. If you feel like you can't keep up w... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Making the Best E/M Decision
Question: During an office evaluation and management (E/M) service for a new patient, the ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Remember, Injection Includes Basic E/M
Question: Our provider saw a patient who was experiencing shoulder pain. The provider deci... Read more
Reader Questions:
Level Out Your Steroid Injection Coding
Question: The physician documented transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) at l... Read more
Reader Questions:
MDM on Multiple Days? Do This
Question: If a provider is billing based on medical decision making (MDM), not on tim... Read more
HCPCS Primer:
Get the Goods on 2021 G Codes
Here's the 1 code Medicare expects on almost all office E/Ms. For some coders, it's easy ... Read more
Quick Q&A:
Keep Payer Policies Separate for Head/Neck Chemodenervation
Experts: Check with payers for specific approved diagnoses. When a patient reports to you... Read more
Condition Spotlight:
Cover All Bases on Concussion Care
E/M level, testing codes, and Dx coding to seven characters are key. Concussions are a re... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Keep ICD-10 Straight While Mastering New E/Ms
Question: During an office outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) service for a new pa... Read more
Readers Questions:
Size Matters When Coding Bursa Joint Injections
Question: Notes indicate that the provider performed arthrocentesis injections on a pair o... Read more
Readers Questions:
Remember 25/57 Difference When Coding E/M With Surgery
Question: Notes indicate that after a level-four outpatient evaluation and management (E/M... Read more
Readers Questions:
Use G20 for Several Parkinson’s Manifestations
Question: If my provider documented a diagnosis for Parkinson's disease, which ICD-10 code... Read more
Medicare Final Rule:
Conversion Rate Gets Cut in Final Rule
… but there's good news on the telehealth front. Medicare has released its 2021 final r... Read more
Injection Introduction:
Test TPI, CT Shot Skills With This Primer
Code TPIs based on muscles injected, not shot tally. Sometimes, coding injection servic... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Use Q&A to Get to Know CRPS Dx Codes
Hint: Report G90.512 for CRPS I of left upper limb When your provider treats a patient w... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Check Calendar Before Reporting This E/M
Question: An established patient reports to the provider for an office evaluation and mana... Read more
Reader Questions:
ePHI Is Better When It’s Hip to HIPAA
Question: Does electronic protected health information (ePHI) have to be encrypted to be H... Read more
Reader Questions:
Make Sure Secondary Code Backs Up Meningitis Dx
Question: During a level-four office evaluation and management (E/M) visit for a new patie... Read more
Reader Questions:
‘Unique Tests’ Present 2021 E/M Coding Challenges
Question: The 2021 office and outpatient E/M guidelines for medical decision making (MDM) ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Prevent Achilles Injury Dx From Being Your Weakness
Question: A patient received pain treatment for a right Achilles injury; there is no other... Read more
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