Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: How should we code hearing screening and testing for adolescent patients? What advice can you give for coding other kinds of screenings performed during preventive care exams?

Kansas Reader

Answer: You should code for hearing screening depending on the type of machine you use. For pure tone screening with calibrated electronic devices, use 92552 (Pure tone audiometry [threshold]; air only). For other devices, use 92551 (Screening test, pure tone, air only).

For vision screening, use 99173 (Screening test of visual acuity, quantitative, bilateral). Preventive care exams for adolescents also frequently include blood tests and urinalyses. If the physician orders a blood test, use 36415* (Collection of venous blood by venipuncture). For routine urine dipstick tests, use 81002 (Urinalysis, by dip stick or tablet reagent for bilirubin, glucose, hemoglobin, ketones, leukocytes, nitrite, pH, protein, specific gravity, urobilinogen, any number of these constituents; non-automated, without microscopy).

Clinical and coding information for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Richard Tuck, MD, FAAP, practicing pediatrician with Primecare Pediatrics of Zanesville, Ohio; Kevin Perryman, practice administrator for Primary Pediatric Medical Association of Seguin, Texas; and Annette Goldwyn, project coordinator with Island Coast Pediatrics of Fort Myers, Fla.