Orthopedic Coding Alert
Get Up to Speed on Synvisc Coding Saga's Latest Chapter
HCPCS 2008 gives Synvisc and Hyalgan another facelift If your head's still spinning from 2007's HCPCS changes, you-d better hold on tight -- more changes are in store. Use this crosswalk to help smooth the process from 2007 temporary Q codes to 2008 J codes. Tip: Your surgeon may be more likely to use the term "Hyaluronic acid" than "Hyaluronan," but they are the same and therefore merit the same codes. Bottom line: Keep up with CMS- listservs and newsletter announcements to make this change manageable, says Susan Vogelberger, CPC, CPC-H, CMBS, CCP, president of Healthcare Consulting and Coding Education in Boardman, Ohio. Otherwise you-re sure to have a few denials as your wake-up call that the codes have changed yet again.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- Shore Up Your Skills With This Real-Life Knee Case Study
Refresh your coding essentials with this step-by-step ICD-9 selection If you-re eager for feedback on [...] - Quiz:
Whip Your X-Ray Coding Into Shape Today
Find out whether you-re a shoulder-view ace with question 2 Diagnostic imaging is the fastest [...] - Answers:
Whip Your X-Ray Coding Into Shape Today
Check your answers to the quiz on page 27 How did you do? Find out [...] - Get Up to Speed on Synvisc Coding Saga's Latest Chapter
HCPCS 2008 gives Synvisc and Hyalgan another facelift If your head's still spinning from 2007's [...] - You Be the Coder:
Routine Hip Follow-Up May Require 2 Codes
Question: Which diagnosis code should we report for a patient who comes in for a [...] - Reader Questions:
2nd Stage of Reimplantation = 27132
Question: One of our orthopedic surgeons did a planned reimplantation of a total hip replacement [...] - Reader Questions:
Unspecified Ganglion Merits 727.43
Question: Which ICD-9 codes should we report for a patient who had surgery addressing carpal [...] - Reader Questions:
Bolster Your Splinting/Strapping Know-How
Question: What are the keys to deciding when to report splinting and when to report [...] - Reader Questions:
Stick to 20605 for Sacrococcygeal Injection
Question: What's the proper way to code a sacrococcygeal joint injection? Michigan Subscriber Answer: Codes [...] - Reader Questions:
Clamp Down on Consult Miscoding
Question: If a managing physician asks the orthopedic surgeon for a consult on an inpatient [...] - Reader Questions:
Blood Vessel Repair Merits 35236
Question: What CPT code should I report if the orthopedic surgeon had to perform a [...] - Reader Questions:
Clear Away Debridement Questions
Question: May I bill debridement if the physician documents no gross contamination? The physician reduced [...] - Guest Columnist:
Darlene Boschert, CPC, CPC-H, CCP, CMM, CHCO, CMT, CMA Taking the Fear Out of Modifier 59
Clinical examples help clear up common misconceptions I personally think that modifier 59 is one [...] - Reader Questions:
Snag Separate PLIF and Laminectomy Pay
Question: My surgeon argues that we should be able to report a laminectomy (63047) in [...] - Reader Questions:
Still Confused About Mods 59 and 51? Read This
Question: My colleague and I have been debating the proper times to use modifiers 59 [...] - Reader Questions:
You Don't Need 59 for This Surgery Combo
Question: May I report all three surgeries when the physician performs a torn anterior cruciate [...]
