Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Uncover the code that's no longer modifier 51 exempt -- and 1 that will be To get the full overview of CPT 2008, you and your physicians will need to pay particular attention to code renumbering and revisions. If you don-t, you could face dire consequences. "I review code clarifications even more closely than new codes," says Arlene Smith, CPC, CCS-P, health insurance coding specialist at Tacoma Women's Specialists in Tacoma, Wash. "Clarifications give updated information regarding the use of codes already in circulation and may have subtle changes that will affect the way you use them." Examine These Modifier 51 Exempt Code Changes CPT 2008 reassessed codes that AMA has previously designated as modifier 51 (Multiple procedures) exempt. What that means: "Modifier 51 exempt" means that you don't need to add this modifier to a code that CPT has not designated as an add-on procedure/service, says Diane Hoffman, CPC, coder/biller for Melius, Schurr and Cardwell LP, Physicians for Women, in Madison, Wis. These are typically codes that do not involve significant pre- or postoperative work. The withdrawal of the modifier 51 exemption status means that 36660 (Catheterization, umbilical artery, newborn, for diagnosis or therapy) will now require a modifier when your ob-gyn performs this service with other procedures. On the other hand, 51797 (Voiding pressure studies [VP]; intra-abdominal voiding pressure [AP] [rectal, gastric, intraperitoneal]) will become an add-on code that does not take a modifier 51. In other words, as of Jan. 1, you-ll bill 51797 only if you-re also reporting 51795 (Voiding pressure studies [VP]; bladder voiding pressure, any technique). Renumber Your Bladder Aspiration Codes If you have the old codes memorized for bladder aspiration, you will need to relearn them. CPT has tinkered with the codes- placement and has decided that the bladder aspiration codes are more appropriately placed under "Bladder, Removal" rather than "Bladder, Incision." The new numbers are: - 51100 -- Aspiration of bladder; by needle - 51101 -- - by trocar or intracatheter - 51102 -- - with insertion of suprapubic catheter. On the bright side: You-ll use the codes the same way as you did previously. 4 CPT Clarifications Make Your Life Easier CPT 2008 contains four more clarifications that you should definitely take note of. If you are billing 82272 (Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity [e.g., guaiac], qualitative, feces, single specimen [e.g., from digital rectal exam]) for the annual fecal occult blood screening test, CPT has revised the code to make it clear that you should not report this code for a screening test: Blood, occult, by peroxidase activity [e.g., guaiac], qualitative, feces, 1-3 simultaneous determinations, performed for other than colorectal neoplasm screening. The only two CPT codes that you can use [...]