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Orthopedic Coding Alert
Orthopedic Coding Alert
Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 12
E/M FAQ:
Use This FAQ to Conquer MDM Questions
Check out this advice on how to tally number and complexity of problems. OK, we've all h...
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CPT® Coding:
Seal up Your Closure Coding With Level Knowledge
Here's how the definition of complex repair changed recently. Orthopedists are primarily...
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Fracture Care:
Try Your Ankle Fracture Knowledge Against This Quiz
Do you know how many bones are involved in a trimalleolar fracture? Fractures are one of...
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Reader Questions:
Untangle the Mystery of Podagra
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed a level-two office evaluati...
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Reader Questions:
Step to M24.57- for Foot Contracture
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider treated a patient with “contra...
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Reader Questions:
Remember Modifier on Fracture-E/M Combo
Question: Encounter notes indicate that after a level-four office-evaluation and mana...
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Reader Questions:
Get Spinal X-Ray Rules Straight Before Coding
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed X-rays on two areas of...
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You Be the Coder:
Osteoporosis With Fracture
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed an evaluation and managemen...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 11
Coding:
2021 and Beyond: Ortho Coders Still Mastering New Codes, Rules
Find out how the ortho coding world is responding to 2021 CPT® changes. A lot happened i...
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Coding:
2021 and Beyond: Look for More Major E/M Changes in 2023
There's also an update upcoming on musculoskeletal guidelines. If you thought 2021 was ...
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Condition Spotlight:
Use These Tips to Anchor Your Heel Spur Claims
Check out the surgical options your provider might employ. When your provider treats a p...
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Reader Questions:
Use This Code Set for Medial Malleolus Fracture
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient has “nondisp Fx, medial malleolus, L t...
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Reader Questions:
View This Advice for X-Ray Coding Success
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed an office evaluation and ma...
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Reader Questions:
Questions Persist on New Back Pain Codes
Question: How do I code acute or chronic lower back pain? Even with the new ICD-10 codes i...
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Reader Questions:
Master Lateral Malleolus Ankle Fracture Dx Codes
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider treated a patient with “displ Fx, l...
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You Be the Coder:
Olecranon Process and Ulnar Fractures
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed closed treatment of an ulna...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 10
Surgery Coding:
Know Dx, Surgical Differences on Knee Arthroscopies
Coding shifts when diagnostic becomes surgical. A common diagnostic tool in an orthopedic...
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Diagnostic Procedures:
Know Codes for Other Diagnostic Knee Procedures
MRI, X-ray might replace knee arthroscopy in certain situations. There's more than one w...
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CPT® 2022:
Don’t Minimize This Office/Outpatient E/M Change
Here's why 99211 descriptor change might seem minor … but it's not. Coders should be ca...
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Modifier Madness:
Use Notes to Make Modifier 78/79 Distinction
Here's which modifier requires a return to the OR. Modifiers that are close by in the C...
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Reader Questions:
Add Synonyms to Your Dx Coding Arsenal
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed an office/ outpatient evalu...
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Reader Questions:
Deepen Understanding of CPT® Changes
Question: I understand why codes are added to CPT every year, but why are codes deleted an...
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Reader Questions:
Stop Hammertoe Treatment Confusion
Question: I'm trying to learn more about hammertoe treatment. Can you please tell me which...
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You Be the Coder:
Shoot for Accurate MDM With Bullet Smarts
Question: I am still getting used to the new rules for office/outpatient evaluation and ma...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 9
CPT® 2022:
Changes Marked by New Add-ons, Revised Arthrodesis Codes
Here's how 99211 will be slightly different next year, too. The AMA has released its 2022...
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ICD-10 2022:
Get to Know the New Dx Codes
… and remember that the codes are in effect before 2022. Last month, we previewed the...
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E/M Coding:
Catch Up With Still-Evolving Office/Outpatient E/M Rules
Here's why you should keep a lookout for more tweaks to rules. Autumn is almost upon us...
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Reader Questions:
Answer Anesthesia Question Before Coding This Fix
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed closed treatment of the pr...
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Reader Questions:
Observe These Rules When Reporting Z03-Z05
Question: Should we report the observation diagnosis codes (Z03-Z05) as primary diagnoses ...
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Reader Questions:
Walk Straight Coding Line to ID March Fx Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider treated a patient with a “march fr...
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You Be the Coder:
Multiple Hip Socket Fractures
Question: Encounter notes indicate that after the orthopedist performed a level-four offic...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 8
ICD-10 Update:
Keep an Eye out for New Low Back Pain, Spondyloarthritis Codes
WHO adds nearly 200 Dx codes for 2022. When the calendar flips to October, you're going ...
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Modifier Madness:
Put Success in Your Grasp With Anatomical Finger/Toe Modifier Mastery
Get specific to put patients' injuries into focus for payers. CPT® created modifiers for...
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FAQs:
Break Down Pathologic Fracture Coding for the Best Dx
Turn to this category for age-related osteoporosis with current pathologic fracture. Sinc...
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You Be the Coder:
Different Terms, Same Dx Code
Question: The orthopedist performed an office evaluation and management (E/M) service for ...
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Reader Questions:
Report These Codes for Ruptured Achilles Tendon Repair
Question: A patient came in with extreme pain and swelling of her left heel. She was danci...
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Reader Questions:
Table E/M Risk Concerns With MDM Smarts
Question: Both the Elements of Medical Decision Making (MDM) table in the 2021 CPT® Manua...
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Reader Questions:
Break Down Brand-New Prolonged Services Changes
Question: Our provider performed an office evaluation and management (E/M) service for a n...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 7
Fracture Care:
March Through Fracture Care Claims With This Advice
There might be a separate E/M — but don't assume it. Orthopedic coders are used to seei...
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E/M Coding:
Keep ED E/M Rules Separate From Office/Outpatient
The 99281-99285 code set isn't subject to 2021 updates. When your orthopedist provides ...
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Back to Basics:
Get a Shot of Confidence With This Injection/Infusion Advice
This guide can help you decide on the proper injection/infusion type. Before you can sele...
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You Be the Coder:
Surgery During Global of Another Surgery
Question: A patient reports with “double crush syndrome”; a diagnosis of a right C6 ra...
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Reader Questions:
Note Various 7th Character Options for Ankle Fracture
Question: The orthopedist just treated a patient who was diagnosed with a displaced bimall...
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Reader Questions:
Check With Payer Before Reporting Telehealth Prolonged Services
Question: Our provider performed an office evaluation and management (E/M) service over th...
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Reader Questions:
Go Lateral for Correct Osteoarthritis Dx
Question: Notes indicate that the provider diagnosed a patient with posttraumatic osteoart...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 6
2021 E/M Q&A:
Experts Weigh in on New Reporting Rules
Focusing on MDM has changed the calculus for coders, providers. When the AMA decided that...
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Surgery:
Take Extensive Debridement to the Limit for Correct Coding
Here's when you can report extensive debridement with another surgery. When a patient ha...
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Coding Quick Takes:
Separate Bimalleolar, Trimalleolar Fx With Coding Smarts
Here's the 2 or 3 tips you need to master these fracture codes. When a patient reports wi...
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You Be the Coder:
Go Deep Into Notes to I.D. Proper I&D Code
Question: After performing a level three new patient office evaluation and management (E/M...
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Reader Questions:
Rely on View Info for Right Rib X-Ray Code
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed rib X-rays for a patient. T...
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Reader Questions:
Check for Underlying Cause on Pathological Dislocations
Question: What is the difference between pathological dislocations and recurrent dislocati...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 5
E/M Coding:
2021 E/M Rules Get Initial Tweaks
Updates keep focus on 2021 office/outpatient E/M revisions. There's already change brewi...
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Surgery Coding:
Break Humeral Shaft Fx Coding Down Into Manageable Steps
Do you know what CPT® means by ‘open' treatment? Claims for patients that suffer hum...
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E/M Coding:
Song Remains the Same for Hospital Care Coding
Use 1 set of codes for initial hospital care. If you've been swept up in the changes sur...
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Reader Questions:
Visualize Mastering Spinal Cord Vocab
Question: I'm having trouble with some of the terminology when coding injection/drainage/a...
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Reader Questions:
Check for Underlying Cause on Pathological Dislocations
Question: What is the difference between pathological dislocations and recurrent dislocati...
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You Be the Coder:
Code Stenosis First When it Prompts Surgery
Question: An established patient presents with cervical spinal stenosis C5-C6 and degenera...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 4
News You Can Use:
AMA Modifies Office/Outpatient E/M Directives
Changes will be retroactive to January 1. The office/outpatient evaluation and management...
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Modifier Madness:
Explain Stopped Surgeries With 52, 53
Modifier 53 is only allowed in very specific situations. When a surgeon has to stop surge...
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Clinical Coding Corner:
Home in on Modifier Specifics With These Examples
Remember which modifier to use for each type of stopped procedure. Do the rules surroundi...
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ICD-10 Coding:
Learn Fracture Types to Expedite Dx Coding
Do you know the difference between displaced, nondisplaced fractures? A patient breaks ...
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You Be the Coder:
Add-Ons and Vertebral Surgery Codes
Question: Our surgeon performed percutaneous lumbosacral vertebroplasty with biopsy, which...
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Reader Questions:
Answer Diagnostic vs. Surgical Question Before Coding
Question: The provider conducts an office evaluation and management (E/M) service for a pa...
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Reader Questions:
Keep Anatomy in Mind When Deciding Compartment Syndrome Dx
Question: What is compartment syndrome, and how do I choose a diagnosis code for it? Notes...
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Reader Questions:
Report These E/Ms As Telehealth … for Now
Question: Can we report inpatient telehealth evaluation and management (E/M) services...
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Reader Questions:
Feel Safe by Understanding ‘Unsecured Communications’
Question: Our patients frequently ask if we can send them appointment reminders or bills v...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 3
CPT® 2021:
No New Codes, but New Rules Mark These Loose Body Codes
New reporting guidelines masked by lack of change in codes, descriptors. There was a lot ...
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E/M Coding:
As Other E/M Rules Change, Keep Abreast of Observation Rules
Remember Medicare's differing rules for 8-hour stays. People aren't talking much about ho...
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Procedure® Coding:
Back Up Decompression/Discography Claims With Coding Knowledge
Do you know which of these procedures is diagnostic? Codes that are listed close together...
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You Be the Coder:
Read Descriptors for Add-on Code Clarity
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed X-rays on a patient's left ...
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Reader Questions:
Get Dx Just Right on Trigger Finger Injection
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider saw a patient in the office for pain ...
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Reader Questions:
Reporting Multiple Spinal Osteotomies
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed an outpatient evaluation and...
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Reader Questions:
Cast Doubts Aside on These Splinting Queries
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider applied a splint from a patient's rig...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 2
CPT® 2021:
Tighten Up Shoulder Arthroscopy Coding With New Debridement Descriptors
Wording now more specific, offers clearer guidance. Sometimes, CPT® drops a completely n...
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E/M Coding:
Reach Separate Service Threshold on E/Ms With Minor Procedures
New year, new rules, new way to I.D. separate E/Ms with surgeries. Some coders might be h...
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Injections:
Keep Up With Chemodenervation for Ortho-Specific Issues
These high-paying Botox® injections treat several spinal conditions. Patients your ortho...
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You Be the Coder:
Use Knowledge of Condition to Get Osteolysis Dx Right the First Time
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the orthopedist performed a magnetic resonance ima...
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Reader Questions:
Opt for E/M on This Fracture Treatment
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed closed treatment of a fract...
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Reader Questions:
Follow Specific Rules for Cast Removal Coding
Question: When our provider removes a cast from a patient — boot, body, full arm/leg, sh...
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Reader Questions:
Get to Know Dx for Diabetes 1.5
Question: Our provider recently documented a patient as having both type 1 and type 2 diab...
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Reader Questions:
Exercise Caution on Consult Question
Question: Our surgeon examined a patient in the office and sent a report about the patient...
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Orthopedic Coding Alert - 2021; Volume 24, Number 1
Medicare Final Rule:
Conversion Rate Gets Cut in Final Rule
… but there's good news on the telehealth front. Late last year, Medicare released its ...
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HCPCS Primer:
Focus on G Codes for 2021 HCPCS Success
Medicare released its own high-level prolonged services code. It's 2021 and you've got al...
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ICD-10 Coding:
Mind the Details When Diagnosing Stress Fractures
Remember, traumatic events don't usually cause these injuries. You've had enough anxiety ...
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You Be the Coder:
Coding Late December/Early January E/Ms
Question: An established patient reports to the provider for an office evaluation and man...
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Reader Questions:
Get ePHI Hip to HIPAA
Question: Does electronic protected health information (ePHI) have to be encrypted to be H...
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Reader Questions:
Prevent Confusion on This Dermal Debridement
Question: Our provider just saw a patient who had a superficial linear abrasion that exten...
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Reader Questions:
Do This for Docs With Signature Issues
Question: What can we do our surgeon's signature is illegible? Georgia Subscriber Answ...
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