Orthopedic Coding Alert
Look to This Shoulder Code for QSS
Question: What is Quadrilateral Space Syndrome, and what ICD-9 code should I use? Georgia Subscriber Answer: Quadrilateral space syndrome (QSS) refers to the compression of the axillary nerve in the back of the patient's shoulder. Sometimes the compression of an artery can cause the symptoms in the same area, especially with overhead sports like throwing and swimming. You should report QSS using the symptom, which is shoulder pain (719.41, Pain in joint; shoulder region). -- Reader Questions and You Be the Coder were reviewed by Heidi Stout, CPC, CCS-P, director of orthopedic coding services at The Coding Network LLC; and Bill Mallon, MD, orthopedic surgeon and medical director at Triangle Orthopaedic Associates in Durham, N.C.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- CCI 15.0 Update:
Consider Nerve Blocks, Injections Inherent to Most New Ortho Codes -- Or Face Denials
Watch out: Not all these new edits allow you to unbundle them with a modifier. [...] - Toss Modifier 21 Out and Go to 99354-99359 Instead
See why 30 minutes more than usual is the magic requirement. If your orthopedist spends [...] - Check Your Payers' 27215-27218 Policies
Rejoice: Pelvic fracture codes spared from CCI 15.0's wrath. Although CPT 2009 changed the descriptors [...] - News You Can Use:
Wrong Spinal Level Can Mean No Reimbursement Whatsoever
Here's what to do if wrong location is due to extra vertebrae. If your orthopedic [...] - You Be the Coder:
Consults In-Group = Established Patients?
Question: Our orthopedists may refer to one another based on a provider's subspecialty, such as [...] - Fix Facet Joint Injection Coding in Wake of Startling OIG Report
Agency combed everything from injections to consulting agreements. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG), [...] - Reader Questions :
Leg Amputations Mean 27880
Question: How do leg amputation codes differ from each other? Minnesota Subscriber Answer: Technique differentiates [...] - Reader Questions:
Discover When You Should Apply Modifier 99
Question: I have been reporting the following code sequence: - 73562-26 - 73562-99 (in the [...] - Reader Questions:
Prove Separate Service Before Billing E/M in Global
Question: Our payer is denying a claim involving an E/M and a fine needle aspiration [...] - Reader Questions:
Look to This Shoulder Code for QSS
Question: What is Quadrilateral Space Syndrome, and what ICD-9 code should I use? Georgia Subscriber [...] - Ring in Better Rewards in '09 With These 3 Don't-Miss Tips-#1:
Save Hundreds With These A/R Best Practices
Tip: Assign each biller a list of payers to contact every month. Effective accounts receivable [...] - #2:
Keep in Mind That Medicare Lowers CF to $36.0666 for 2009
You won't feel as big a crunch, thanks to neutrality adjustment. CMS released the Medicare [...] - #3:
Let 2 Questions Guide You on Deductible Collection
Save time, effort by learning the downsides of up-front collection. Collecting deductibles from patients has [...]
