Optometry Coding & Billing Alert
Say No to 378.xx for Pseudostrabismus
Question: What ICD-9 code should I report for a diagnosis of pseudostrabismus? Arizona Subscriber Answer: An optometrist may document "pseudostrabismus" if a child appears to have crossed eyes but the optometrist finds no misalignment. There's no "false esotropia" code in the ICD-9 strabismus section (378.xx) -- but there is a correct way to report this condition. Physiological characteristics of a child's face can sometimes cause the eyes to appear crossed (esotropic) when the condition of strabismus is not actually present. In most of these cases, the correct code is 743.63 (Congenital anomalies of eyelids, lacrimal system, and orbit; other specified congenital anomalies of eyelid). Don't use one of the esotropia diagnosis codes, such as 378.21 (Intermittent esotropia, monocular), when the patient has false esotropia. If the test does not confirm a condition, never use a diagnosis code that indicates that the condition is present.
Optometry Coding & Billing Alert
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J2001 Is No-Go for Minor In-Office Procedures
Question: Is there a code we should bill for subcutaneous lidocaine or lidocaine with epinephrine [...] - Reader Questions:
Keep Training Records on File
Question: Does the privacy rule mandate that we keep our training documentation, such as sign-in [...] - Reader Questions:
Say No to 378.xx for Pseudostrabismus
Question: What ICD-9 code should I report for a diagnosis of pseudostrabismus? Arizona Subscriber Answer: [...] - Reader Questions:
Aim for Proper Ametropia ICD-9 Code
Question: Which ICD-9 code should I report for ametropia? Kansas Subscriber Answer: The appropriate diagnosis [...] - Reader Questions:
FTP Is Legal but Isn't Best Option
Question: Our staffers want to use file transfer protocol (FTP) to send patients- confidential information [...] - Reader Questions:
Don't Add Unnecessary Digit to 368.8
Question: Lately all of our claims with diagnosis code 368.80 for blurred vision have been [...] - Reader Questions:
Simplify by Using Separate NPP Forms
Question: When a mother brings her four children to our optometry practice for the first [...]
