Pediatric Coding Alert
Hearing Exam With Physical
Tennessee Subscriber
Answer: Many insurance companies believe that audio screening is an integral part of a well visit and dont realize how time-consuming it is. Some plans require a separate billing for audio screens, but this usually presents a problem. If you perform the audio screen as part of the well visit, it will be denied by the payer.
The best solution is not to conduct the audio screen as part of the well visit and schedule another visit for the screening. Most children with hearing problems are referred by the school nurse. You would code the subsequent hearing screen with an office visit code, such as 99212 and 92551 (screening test using pure tone, air only). Calibrated electronic equipment is used, and both ears are tested. (See the November 2000 Pediatric Coding Alert, Gain Proper Payment for Hearing Screening and Testing, on page 85.)
Pediatric Coding Alert
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Although there arent many major changes for pediatricians in CPT Codes 2001, there are a [...] - New and Revised CPT 2001 Vaccine Codes
New vaccines and vaccine combinations are being developed at a fast and furious pace. Coders, [...] - Gain Reimbursement by Proper Use of After-hours Code
The after-hours codes (99050-99054) can help pediatricians increase their reimbursement when providing services after the [...] - Use of Critical Care Codes Sharply Restricted for 2001
Critical care services (99291, critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically [...] - You Be the Coder:
Newborn Checkup
Question: Should we charge a new or established evaluation and management (E/M) code when a [...] - Correction:
Emergency Visits
The November 2000 Pediatric Coding Alert contained a typographical error in the reader question Emergency [...] - Reader Question:
-QW Modifier
Question: When and how should we use the -QW modifier for lab tests? Our lab [...] - Reader Question:
Allergy Diagnosis Coding
Question: How should we code the diagnosis for allergy shots? We provide the shot only; [...] - Reader Question:
Neonatal Critical Care
Question: A baby developed problems several days after birth. The pediatrician transferred the newborn to [...] - Reader Question:
Hearing Exam With Physical
Question: Parents often bring their child in for a physical and want their childs hearing [...] - Reader Question:
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Question: What is the proper way to bill for diabetic ketoacidosis?
Wisconsin Subscriber
Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis [...]
