Pediatric Coding Alert
Check Law Before Extending Traditional MD-Only Codes
The Reader Question "NPs Can Use MD Codes" in Pediatric Coding Alert Vol. 10, No. 12 indicates that nurse practitioners (NPs) can use codes that CPT 2008 designates as physician-only codes, such as 99441-99443, 90465-90468 and 99367. But before you do so, check your state laws.
"While the answer (could be) technically correct in certain states, that can only be determined by state scope- of-practice laws, not by CPT," says Linda Walsh, director of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Division of Health Care Finance & Quality Improvement and Committee on Coding and Nomenclature manager.
While you're checking if NPs in your state are eligible to use "physician" codes, find out who can use the nonphysician versions of these codes. Will they apply to psychologists, registered nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists? Once again, "use will depend on state scope-of-practice acts and payer policy," say Jeffrey Linzer Sr., MD, FAAP, and Linda Edwards, CPC, in the AAP Georgia Chapter's 2007 Coding Meeting.
Pediatric Coding Alert
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If you fall for the [...] - You Be the Coder:
Code Tooth Decay Preventive Service
Question: Our pediatricians are considering offering in-office fluoride treatments as an added service. How would [...] - Clarification:
Check Law Before Extending Traditional MD-Only Codes
CPT doesn't offer the final word
The Reader Question "NPs Can Use MD Codes" in [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Stick With 075 for EBV
Question: Should I code Epstein-Barr with new 2008 code 058.89 (Other human herpesvirus infection)?
Ohio Subscriber
[...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Photoscreening Gets Category I Code
Question: I'm questioning our practice's use of 92015 for photoscreening. The procedure doesn't seem to [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Keep Coding When $$$ Don't Roll In
Question: When an insurance carrier does not pay for a code, should we still report [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
3 Ways to Code Suture Removal
Question: For suture removal, we found 15851. When a pediatrician removes sutures in the office [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Are Consult Requests Limited to MDs?
Question: A school nurse or teacher asks a pediatrician for an opinion on a child, [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Does 90634 + 90471 Require 51?
Question: Can you settle a dispute our office is having? Do we need to use [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Update Hospital Bladder Aspiration Code
Question: A pediatrician performs a suprapubic aspiration to obtain a clean urine specimen from an [...]
