Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Report Only Relevant Chronic Conditions
Question: Should I report a chronic condition if a patient presents for an acute condition? Louisiana Subscriber Answer: Yes, it is appropriate to report ongoing, preexisting conditions such as diabetes (250.0x) or Parkinson's disease (332.x) if the patient presents for a separate, acute condition as long as the chronic condition's presence is relevant to or affects treatment for the acute condition. This practice not only enhances medical records and coding accuracy but improves quality of care. Always list the primary reason for the visit first, followed by all medically significant diagnoses. The existence of these "extra" diagnoses may justify additional clinical evaluation or diagnostic procedures, or they may affect the evaluation and treatment of the acute condition that caused the visit. In either case, the complicating or preexisting condition may warrant a higher-level E/M service than would otherwise be necessary. The complexity and number of coexisting conditions dictate how detailed an examination is necessary and the complexity of medical decision-making, and recording the additional diagnoses will help support E/M coding.
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
- CCI Strikes Again:
Watch for Bundling Edits When Reporting Nerve Blocks and Other Therapeutic Injections
The most recent update (version 9.0) of the national Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) is now [...] - Documentation Requirements Ease for Teaching Physicians
By Eric Sandham,CPC Teaching physicians will find documenting services they provide with residents and medical [...] - You Be the Coder:
Use Modifier -58 for Return to OR
Question: Our surgeon performed a computed tomography (CT) guided stereotactic brain biopsy. A few hours [...] - Expect Lower Payments in 2003
CMS has announced a reduction in the national Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor to $34.5920 [...] - Reader Question:
Dont Use ED Codes for In-Office Emergency
Question: Recently, an allergic patient presenting for evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome experienced anaphylactic shock [...] - Reader Question:
Report Only Relevant Chronic Conditions
Question: Should I report a chronic condition if a patient presents for an acute condition? [...] - Reader Question:
Dont Charge Extra for Interpreting Test Results
Question: May I report 76140-26 to read x-rays that a patient brings with him or [...] - Reader Question:
Know When to Assign Signs and Symptoms
Question: Should we still report signs and symptoms if testing has confirmed a definitive diagnosis? [...] - Reader Question:
Fixation Points Determine Instrumentation Type
Question: If the surgeon places pedicle screws at L3 and L5 and connects a rod [...] - Reader Question:
Check Guidelines Before Reporting 69990
Question: Every time we report 69990, the carrier denies the claim, and each succeeding version [...] - News Brief:
OIG 2003 Work Plan Available on the Web
The U.S. Office of Inspector General (OIG) plans to focus on E/M services claims and, [...]
