Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert
If Diagnosis Is Already Known, Don't Report E/M Service
Question: We have a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia who undergoes regular chemotherapy injection treatments of Gleevec. He reported to the office recently feeling sluggish. The oncologist, who had already diagnosed the patient as anemic, examined the patient and gave him a 500-unit shot of epoetin alpha. Can we report the injection and office visit separately? Answer: If the oncologist previously diagnosed the anemia, you cannot report a separate E/M service. When the oncologist treats anemia in a leukemia patient, you should: - Clinical and coding expertise for this issue of Oncology Coding Alert provided by Cindy Parman, CPC, CPC-H, RCC, co-owner of Coding Strategies Inc. in Dallas, Ga.
Mississippi Subscriber
Correction appeared in February 2005 issue as:
The drug Gleevec is a tablet and cannot be given via injection.
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If Diagnosis Is Already Known, Don't Report E/M Service
Question: We have a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia who undergoes regular chemotherapy injection treatments [...]
