Orthopedic Coding Alert
Know US Differences
Question: What’s the difference between a complete and limited joint ultrasound (US)? Idaho Subscriber Answer: As the descriptor indicates, a complete joint US involves examining the joint, as well as all of the joint space and peri-articular structures. Report complete joint US with 76881 (Ultrasound, complete joint (ie, joint space and peri-articular soft-tissue structures), real-time with image documentation). When the provider performs a limited joint US, the screening will focus on a specific area of the joint. Report limited US with 76882 (Ultrasound, limited, joint or focal evaluation of other nonvascular extremity structure(s) (eg, joint space, peri-articular tendon[s], muscle[s], nerve[s], other soft-tissue structure[s], or soft-tissue mass[es]), real-time with image documentation).
Related Articles
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- Surgery:
Take These Tips to Tackle TKR Coding Head-On
A single surgical code doesn’t mean TKR is easy to report. When a patient requires [...] - E/M Coding:
Answer the How, What, When, and Why for Preoperative Evaluations
Don’t forget to check for comorbid conditions. Knowing how to navigate and select all of [...] - Compliance:
Final Rule Aims to Improve Interoperability and Access to Care
Plus: Feds finalize new API requirements and a MIPS measure, too. After the pandemic revealed [...] - You Be the Coder:
Golfer’s Elbow Diagnosis, Tx
Question: Encounter notes that a patient reports to the orthopedist with complaints of pain and tenderness [...] - Reader Questions:
Medicare Ups Conversion Factor … Slightly
Question: Has there been any change to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) conversion factor (CF)? [...] - Reader Questions:
Know US Differences
Question: What’s the difference between a complete and limited joint ultrasound (US)? Idaho Subscriber Answer: As the [...] - Reader Questions:
Sidestep Contusion Confusion With These Codes
Question: Our foot specialist recently examined a patient presenting with a bruise on their left foot. [...] - Reader Questions:
Employ Protections for Patient Signatures
Question: In our recent risk evaluation, we discovered that the electronic signatures we and our patients [...] - Reader Questions:
Know Which Finger Is ‘Triggered’ for Correct Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from “L trigger finger.” Is the trigger finger [...]
