Pediatric Coding Alert
Coding Negative Strep Test Forces You to Rely on Symptoms
Question: Which diagnosis codes should we report for a strep test that comes out negative if the patient didn't have pharyngitis, scarlet fever, or tonsillitis? We performed the test because the patient had vomiting, rash, and headache and we got a denial. Any suggestions? Georgia Subscriber Answer: The physician should write a letter appealing the claim and noting that based on his clinical diagnosis, the patient exhibited other symptoms of strep besides pharyngitis and scarlet fever. For instance, the combination of headache (784.0), abdominal pain (789.00), and vomiting (787.03) led the physician to believe that the patient may have been experiencing strep throat. If the patient mentioned exposure to strep at school or at home, the physician should mention that in his letter, and you should report the appropriate V code for it (for instance, V01.89, Contact with or exposure to other communicable diseases).
Pediatric Coding Alert
- Newborn Care Coding:
Know When to Adjust Newborn Care Codes
'Normal' newborn codes may not always be the most appropriate for your patients. CPT® maintains [...] - Summer Coding Quiz:
Do You Know These Summertime Coding Rules? Take This Quick Quiz to Test Yourself
Hint: Have the appropriate 'Q' modifier ready for substitute physicians who fill in when your [...] - Summer Coding Quiz Answers:
How Did You Fare When Checking Your Summer Coding Skills? Check Out the Answers Below
Tally your score with the following three solutions.Determine whether you're ready for summer coding cases [...] - Clip And Save:
Use This Quick Go-To Guide for Coding and Billing Camp and Sport Exams
From ICD-9 coding to your forms policy, we've got you covered.Summer camp season is right [...] - You Be the Coder:
95115, 95117: Who Should Injection Serum?
Question: A parent brings allergy serum to our office. The patient comes in once every [...] - Reader Questions:
Coding Negative Strep Test Forces You to Rely on Symptoms
Question:Which diagnosis codes should we report for a strep test that comes out negative if [...] - Reader Questions:
Don't Report 90460-90461 Without Counseling
Question:If we report the new 90460 and 90461 vaccine codes, must the physician perform the [...] - Reader Questions:
You Won't Collect for Code 1005F
Question:One of our pediatricians monitors our asthma patients with the Childhood Asthma Control Test. We [...] - Reader Questions:
Don't Report Discharge Without Face-to-Face
Question:Often, I will tell a new mom that she can take her baby home from [...]
