Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
Reader Question:
CPT Doesn't Help With Image Fusion
Published on Thu Jan 01, 2004
Question: Our physician wants to begin charging for image fusion. Which code should I use? Answer: CPT offers no code that represents image fusion. The American College of Radiology recommends that coders report 77370 (Special medical radiation physics consultation) for image fusion. Other coding experts recommend that you submit 77399 (Unlisted procedure, medical radiation physics, dosimetry and treatment devices, and special services).
Wisconsin Subscriber
But remember that most payers do not reimburse for image fusion because they don't believe that the medical documentation supports the amount of physician work required for payment.
Other Articles in this issue of
Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
- HCPCS 2004 Update:
Speed Up Reimbursement With New Chemotherapy Drug Codes
Get what you deserve with J9098, J9263 and J9395 If you thought you could use [...] - You Be the Coder:
'Incident-To' Chemotherapy Administration
Question: Can our oncologist bill chemotherapy administration as an incident-to service?
California Subscriber
Answer: If the [...] - HCPCS 2004 Update:
Don't Short-Change Your Office on J Code Dose Amounts
Follow these tips to correctly bill doses The key to reporting some of HCPCS 2004's [...] - 4 Strategies Improve Your Teaching Physician Coding
Experts clarify Medicare guidelines If you want to get your oncologist paid for E/M services [...] - Get a Grip on Medical Notes for Teaching Physician Rules
Use these tips for surefire documentation Now that you know when you can report an [...] - Reader Question:
Use 85097 for Bone Smear Interpretations
Question: How should I report my oncologist's bone marrow interpretations?
Georgia Subscriber Answer: You should report [...] - Reader Question:
Medicare Provides Free Access to NCCI Edits
Question: I heard that Medicare posted the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits on the [...] - Reader Question:
Know When to Use Modifier -25
Question: Insurers often deny our practice's claims when we attach modifier -25 to a code. [...] - Reader Question:
Pick 238.4 to Justify Phlebotomy
Question: I've been linking the cancer's ICD-9 code to the oncologist's phlebotomy services and getting [...] - Reader Question:
Ask Private Payers for a -59 Alternative
Question: One of our private payers uses the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits but [...] - Reader Question:
Avoid Audits With 77280
Question: How should I report 77280?
Oklahoma Subscriber Answer: Because payers often audit practices that indiscriminately [...] - Reader Question:
CPT Doesn't Help With Image Fusion
Question: Our physician wants to begin charging for image fusion. Which code should I use? [...] - Reader Question:
Punch In a Simple Code for Biopsy
Question: I was working on a pathology report that referenced a "punch biopsy." What does [...]
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