Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: Our client practice, an otolaryngology group, employs several audiologists. We have their NPI numbers and bill accordingly at most of the office locations. The same group uses an outside company to perform the tests at several satellite offices. The ENT group pays this firm monthly for the services. The firm has not complied with getting their audiologists NPI numbers. We are holding charges, as we understood that these could not go out under the physicians numbers. How should we handle these?

Maine Subscriber

Answer: Youre doing the right thing. Unless the procedures are among the few audiologists may perform without a professional component during the test, and the  doctor can do the professional component, the audiologists must have their NPIs.

Billing tip: Since these practitioners are contract employees (paid by the day or hour, not by the test), they are 1099 income to the company they work for. That means its OK for them to bill you. If they were paid by the test, that would be a purchased service and it would be improper for the practice to bill for their services; they would have to bill for their own services.