Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

PHYSICIAN NOTES:

CMS Formally Debuts New Geriatric Psychiatry Specialty Code

Published on Fri Oct 02, 2009

Plus: CMS changed the Medicare contractor interest rate effective Oct. 22, according to a recent transmittal.

Next time your physician updates his PECOS enrollment, make sure he designates the appropriate specialty code, because CMS has debuted one code and removed three from the list of available specialties.

Effective April 1, physicians who are geriatric psychiatrists will be able to use the new specialty code 27 to designate their work in this field.

CMS will be deleting the following codes from the specialty list, as they are "non-physician specialty codes," according to Transmittal 1836, issued on Oct. 27:

• 32 " Anesthesiologist assistant

• 74 " Radiation therapy center

• 75 " Slide preparation facilities

To read CMS's complete transmittal, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R1836CP.pdf.

Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

PRIVACY:
Red Flags Rule Flies Nov. 1, After Several Delays
Determine whether your practice is a 'creditor,' and make up your plan accordingly. After a [...]

ICD-9 CODING:
Code Late Effects With Ease
Know these two important exceptions. When coding for late effects, sequencing is everything. Keep one [...]

COMPLIANCE:
Spot Potential Fraud on Your Provider's Claims? Check Documentation, Then Contact Provider
Examine claims for odd activity, experts say. With compliance in the spotlight, many coders are [...]

CLIP AND SAVE:
Ace Late Effects Sequencing With This Handy Chart
Combination codes for stroke late effects won't always cover all the details. Proper sequencing is [...]

READER QUESTION:
These Tips Help You Select the Right Migraine Code
In some cases, the unspecified code may be your best option. Question: A 46-year-old new [...]

PART B CODING COACH:
Stop Forfeiting Up to $779 for Appendectomy Procedures
2 requirements open the door to adding on 44950 to 44970. Do you assume payers [...]

PHYSICIAN NOTES:
CMS Formally Debuts New Geriatric Psychiatry Specialty Code
Plus: CMS changed the Medicare contractor interest rate effective Oct. 22, according to a recent [...]

In other news ...
• CMS is lining up its interest rate with what private consumers pay. Effective Oct. [...]

View All