Orthopedic Coding Alert
Watch for NCD Works in Progress That Affect Your Services
If your practice wants coverage, here's how to speak up CMS alerts providers when it's considering a coverage policy change, so don't let your practice sit idly by. Case in point: CMS opened a National Coverage Analysis (NCA) to determine if thermal intradiscal therapy is reasonable and necessary for Medicare coverage. What people are saying: Thermal intradiscal therapy, such as intradiscal electrothermal annuloplasty (IDET), is a minimally invasive treatment for patients with low back pain believed to originate in the disc. That makes it an important intermediary step between more conservative treatment and open procedures, according to Gene Levinstein, MD, with Orthopaedic Associates of Bethlehem and Easton in his public comments to CMS. The public comment period was from Jan. 15 to Feb. 14, and CMS expects to post a decision memo by July 15 (although the final analysis is due in October). You can learn more about offering public comments at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/InfoExchange/02_publiccomments.asp
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- Case Study:
Spot What's Missing to Prove You're a Lesion Excision Coding Ace
This foot-mass report requires you to dig deep for both CPT and ICD-9 The reports [...] - 3 Steps Steer You Clear of Excision Coding Snafus
Example 2 reveals why you need to watch for the narrowest margin When patients with [...] - Advanced Lesson:
Are You Up to Speed on CCI 14.0 Changes? Find Out Fast
3 questions help you get a grip on the most recent edits Still trying to [...] - You Be the Coder:
Tackle 25606 and 25607 Bundle
Question: One of our physicians did an "open reduction and percutaneous pinning of the right [...] - Reader Questions:
Failed Reduction Merits Modifier 52
Question: The orthopedic surgeon saw a patient in the emergency department for a medial elbow [...] - Reader Questions:
Report 20950 per Extremity
Question: How should I bill compartment pressure measurements? Louisiana Subscriber Answer: The appropriate choice for [...] - Reader Questions:
Stick to 29881 for Saucerization
Question: What is the proper way to report saucerization of a lateral discoid meniscus? North [...] - Reader Questions:
Follow the '72285 Includes 77003' Rule
Question: May I report CPT 77003 and 72285 together for the same service? [...] - Reader Questions:
Pick Apart 'Primary' vs. 'Secondary'
Question: For codes such as 27695, 27696 and 27698, what do the terms "primary" and [...] - Reader Questions:
1 Code Reports Tib and Fib Treatment
Question: What CPT codes should I report if the surgeon inserts a rod in the [...] - Reader Questions:
Check CMS Site for HCPCS Updates
Question: When do 2008 HCPCS codes go into effect? I thought it was Jan. 1, [...] - Guest Columnist:
Leslie Johnson, CPC: Pull From the 'Coding Toolbox' to Understand Payer Policies
NCDs and LCDs can light the path to a clean claim New coders soon learn [...] - Boost Your ABN Efficiency With NCD Know-How
3 steps help you use payer policies to your advantage Deciding when to get patients [...] - Next Time You Wonder About Coverage, Check Out This List
Have osteoarthritic knee patients? See number 3 Here's a look at some of the national [...] - Watch for NCD Works in Progress That Affect Your Services
If your practice wants coverage, here's how to speak up CMS alerts providers when it's [...]
