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Eli's Rehab Report

CPT Unveils New Nerve Block Codes for 2003
CPT 2003 introduced four new somatic nerve block codes and five new alternative comm... Read more
Report K0-K4 Modifier Series When Ordering Prosthetics
Physiatrists and therapists who order prosthetic limbs should append modifie... Read more
Functional Level Determines Correct K0-K4 Modifier
Following are the complete descriptions of the functional classification system modifiers... Read more
ICD-9 Coding Corner:
Specificity Is Key to Diagnosing, Treating Radiculopathy
Because diagnosing radiculopathy (722.0-722.2 and 729.2) can require more th... Read more
News Brief:
Version of Incident-To Billing Now Allowed in Hospitals
Effective Oct. 25, 2002, CMS allows incident-to billing for hospital inpatient, outpatien... Read more
Reader Questions:
EMG Can Be Billed Bilaterally
Question: The September 2002 issue stated that we could append modifier -59 (Distinc... Read more
Reader Questions:
Prevent Botox Wastage
Question: A coding consultant advised us to schedule our Botox patients close together t... Read more
Reader Questions:
99211 Is Not for Nurses Only
Question: We employ a physician assistant (PA) who performs all levels of E/M codes. We... Read more
Reader Questions:
Memory Loss
Question: Is there a code for subjective memory loss without a confirmed cause, e.g., t... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Occiput-Atlas Articulation
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation befo... Read more
Avoid OIG Scrutiny in 2003:
Correctly Code Rehab Claims,Incident-To Services
Because the U.S. Office of Inspector General (OIG) intends to scrutinize consol id... Read more
Bill Fluoroscopy for SI Injections With No Arthrography
" Although many insurers argue that fluoroscopy should not be billed separately from inje... Read more
ICD-9 Coding Corner:
Signs and Symptoms Codes Help Justify Medical Necessity
PM&R practices that submit diagnostic testing claims before determining ... Read more
News Brief:
OIG to Scrutinize Rehab Stays, Incident-To
According to its recently released 2003 Work Plan, the U.S. Office of Inspector Genera... Read more
News Brief:
CMS Corrects Erroneous Bilateral Status Indicators
If your PM&R practice has had fee reductions when reporting 20526 (Injection, ther... Read more
Reader Questions:
PA Performing Preoperative Exam
Question: Our physician assistant (PA) usually performs the history and physical (H&... Read more
Reader Questions:
Billing for DME Application
Question: Our office has an outside durable medical equipment (DME) supplier who bills t... Read more
Reader Questions:
Coding Myofascial Pain
Question: Our practice often treats myofascial pain syndrome, which we code as ICD-9 7... Read more
Reader Questions:
Electrical Stimulation
Question: Our physiatrist introduced electrical stimulus to a patient's pain site using... Read more
Reader Questions:
Epidural Steroid Injection
Question: What is the appropriate code to bill for an L2-3 intralaminar epidural steroi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Independent Medical Exams
Question: Another practice asked us to perform an independent medical exam (IME) for a p... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Lumbar Disc Disease
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking... Read more
CCI 8.3 Makes Billing Injections With Other Procedures More Complex
To keep up with the new edition of the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI)... Read more
Follow AAEM Guidelines for EDX Testing
By following guidelines from the American Association of Electrodiag... Read more
ICD-9 Coding Corner:
Forget That Fifth Digit? Expect Denials
Practices that omit a required fifth digit on ICD-9 Codes , such as those for arthri... Read more
Reader Questions:
Bilateral Facet Injections
Question: How should we code the claim when the physiatrist performs two levels of... Read more
Reader Questions:
Median Branch Nerve Injection
Question: Our physiatrist performs median branch nerve injections on single and multi... Read more
Reader Questions:
SI Joint Injection
Question: Our physiatrist performed an SI joint injection without arthrography or ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Therapeutic Exercises Rejected With TPIs
Question: One of our physiatrists performs trigger point injections for myofascial pain... Read more
Reader Questions:
Multiple Finger Injections
Question: How should I bill Medicare when we do more than one finger injection on the sa... Read more
Reader Questions:
Paravertebral Nerve Block
Question: What is the most accurate code for a paravertebral nerve block for relievi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Prolonged Services for Day-After Visit
Question: One of our physiatrists evaluates a hospital patient on day one. The followin... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Surface EMGs
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before l... Read more
Dont Forget to Write a Report When Billing Functional Capacity Exams
Billing for functional capacity exams doesn't have to be so strenuous as long as co... Read more
Modifier -59 Versus -51:
The Great Debate
Coders who are confused about whether to append modifier -59 (Distinct proce... Read more
Use 97032 for Attended Electrical Stimulation
CMS delivered a double treat to PM&R practices in July, issuing new elec... Read more
ICD-9 Coding Corner:
V Codes Arent Just Accessories
Many coders think of V codes as ICD-9 Codes's equivalent to CPT's ad... Read more
CMS Announces New ICD-9 Codes for 2003
On June 20, CMS released Program Memorandum AB-01-085, which lists the chang... Read more
Reader Question:
Scoliosis Exams
Question: Our physiatrists often see children for scoliosis screenings or to rule out p... Read more
Reader Question:
Synvisc for Shoulders
Question: Is there any way that Medicare will reimburse us for a shoulder injection usi... Read more
Reader Question:
Compression Bandaging
Question: Can either 97504 (Orthotic[s] fitting and training, upper extremity[ies], low... Read more
Reader Question:
Spinal Hardware Injections
Question: Is 64470 (Injection, anesthetic agent and/or steroid, paravertebral facet joi... Read more
Reader Question:
New Trigger Point Codes
Question: Until this year, we were billing trigger point injections (TPIs) with CP... Read more
Reader Question:
EMG on Four Extremities
Question: If we perform an EMG on two muscles in each of four extremities, can we code ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Two Levels of Epidural
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking... Read more
Bone Up on Coding for Epidural Blocks
Physical medicine and rehabilitation practices that administer epidural blocks to re... Read more
Improvement Is Key for Blind Patients Rehab
Most PM&R practices rejoiced when CMS announced it would allow expanded ... Read more
ICD-9 Coding Corner:
Place Your Diagnosis Codes in the Right Order
Many PM&R patients have multiple problems like the workers' compensation patient... Read more
New Version of CCI Bundles Injection Codes
Ever since the AMA introduced the new injection and trigger point codes (20526, 2... Read more
Clarification:
Radiological Supervision for Diskography
In our July issue, we published a reader question about diskography coding in which we... Read more
HCPCS Code Makes Myobloc Coding Painless
Billing for Botox type B (also known as BTB, or by its trade na... Read more
News Brief:
CMS Announces New Code for Hyalgan
On June 11, CMS released program memorandum AB-02-082, introducing a new code for sodiu... Read more
Reader Question:
Disability Evaluation
Question: In your July issue, you recommended using CPT 99080 (Special reports such a... Read more
Reader Question:
PA Seeing New Patients
Question: We have a physician's assistant on staff. Can he use the E/M codes to treat ne... Read more
Reader Question:
EMG on Two Extremities
Question: Our physiatrist did an EMG on bilateral lower extremities, including the lum... Read more
Reader Question:
Lidocaine for Peroneal Sural Nerve Block
Question: Our physiatrist documented a left peroneal sural nerve block. He indicates tha... Read more
Reader Question:
Nerve Conduction Study With E/M
Question: We are often denied when we bill nerve conduction studies (95900-95904) with E... Read more
You Be the Coder:
X-Ray Interpretation
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Dont Be Sore About Coding for Wound Care
When CPT 2001 introduced codes 97601 and 97602, PM&R practices were pleased to fin... Read more
Wound Care Reimbursement Varies Widely
The following chart outlines approximate reimbursement amounts associated with wound c... Read more
ICD-9 Coding Corner:
Dont Let Diagnosis Coding Be the Ignored Sibling
Although PM&R coders are often very focused on precise CPT coding, what ... Read more
Self-Injectables Update:
CMS Finally Reimburses for Avonex Injections
Long classified as a "self-injectable" drug, Avonex administration hasn't been reimbur... Read more
H-Reflex Study Coding:
Bilateral Payment for 95934 Doesnt Have to Be Unnerving
H-reflex studies are almost always performed bilaterally, but the code itself is based... Read more
News Brief:
Medicare Halts Payment for sNCT Test
PM&R practices that use sensory nerve conduction threshold testing (sNCT) to ... Read more
Breaking News:
TrailBlazer Expands Coverage for Myobloc Injections
Our June article "Be Specific When Coding for Myobloc" noted that Botox type B (also k... Read more
Reader Question:
ER Evaluation
Question: Can we use the CPT 99211 -99215 series of codes for ER visits? My insurer de... Read more
Reader Question:
Code for Reiki?
Question: Is there a CPT code for Reiki? New Jersey Subscriber Answer... Read more
Reader Question:
Nerve Injection
Question: Is there a CPT code for performing a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in... Read more
Reader Question:
Disability Forms
Question: Is there a CPT code we can use when the physiatrist fills out disability or le... Read more
Reader Question:
Diskography Coding
Question: How should we code diskography done under fluoroscopy at three levels (L3-4, ... Read more
Reader Question:
Worried Patient
Question: We have had a few patients come to our practice suspecting that they had an il... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Topical Gel for Therapy
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Be Specific When Coding for Myobloc
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved botulinum toxin, or "Bot... Read more
Therapists Assessment of Patient Counts for Timed Codes
PM&R codes are unique in that most of those listed in the physical medic... Read more
News Brief:
Carriers Confirm Guidelines for New Respiratory Therapy Codes
Physical and occupational therapists who work with cardiac or pulmonary rehab pat... Read more
Reader Question:
Can PT Bill Muscle Testing?
Question: One of our therapists is billing CPT 95831 and 95851 to private insurers wh... Read more
Reader Question:
Must E/M Be Billed With EMG?
Question: Must we always bill an E/M along with EMG services? Our physicians think we sh... Read more
Reader Question:
V Code for Wound Checks
Question: Is there a V code for wound checks? Our therapists do the follow-up care and w... Read more
Reader Question:
IV Sympathetic Regional Blocks
Question: We perform intravenous sympathetic regional blocks for complex regional pain s... Read more
Reader Question:
Chronic Pain Management
Question: Is there an ICD-9 code for chronic pain management? Iowa Subscrib... Read more
Reader Question:
Re-evaluation With Modalities
Question: When our physical therapist performs a re-evaluation on the same day as other ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
ICD-9 for Leg Weakness
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking a... Read more
Get in the Swing of Coding For Common Golf-related Injuries
This is the time of year when PM&R practices begin seeing many more patients with ... Read more
Distinguish Work Hardening and Conditioning to Avoid Audits
Many therapists are familiar with 97545 (Work hardening/conditioning; initial 2 hours), ... Read more
CCI 8.1 News Brief:
Do Not Bill Lidocaine for Local Anesthetic Injections
Although many PM&R coders have known it for years, the new Correct Coding Initiati... Read more
Reader Question:
Wound Care Twice
Question: Our physiatrist saw a patient and billed for wound care in the morning. That a... Read more
Reader Question:
Repetitive Strain Injury
Question: Our physiatrist has been treating a patient who has what he describes as "repe... Read more
Reader Question:
Kinetron Table
Question: If a therapist performs therapeutic modalities and uses "kinetron table" the... Read more
Reader Question:
Training Patients on Prosthetic Limb Use
Question: We are teaching a patient how to use prostheses on her hands. Should we use th... Read more
Reader Question:
TENS Coding
Question: How should we code for using the TENS unit? I read once that this is coded wit... Read more
Reader Question:
Sports Physical
Question: If a patient comes in for a sports physical, should we use an E/M code, the at... Read more
Reader Question:
SI Injections on Both Joints
Question: When a patient requires a sacroiliac joint injection on both SI joints, can we... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Splinting Codes
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before lo... Read more
Therapy Procedures, Goals and Documentation Determine When to Bill ADL Code
Occupational therapists spend a great deal of time helping patients readjust to the a... Read more
CMS Clarifies Reporting of Diagnostic Test Results
CMS Program Memorandum AB-01-144 (effective Jan. 1, 2002) offers physicians much-needed di... Read more
News Brief:
Medicare Adopts Specialty Pain Management Designation
On Jan. 1, 2002, CMS began recognizing a new specialty designation for pain management phy... Read more
New DME Modifier Introduced
Introduction of national modifier -KX (Specific required documentation on file), effective... Read more
Reader Question:
Comprehensive Rehab
Question: Our physiatrist performed a comprehensive rehab inpatient encounter. We coded th... Read more
Reader Question:
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
Question: Our physiatrist wrote NMES on a superbill for a patient with disuse atrophy (728... Read more
Reader Question:
Sensory Integrative Techniques
Question: My state carriers Web site lists 97533 in the clinical psychologists category. C... Read more
Reader Question:
Injecting Synvisc
Question: When we give a patient a Synvisc injection, should we bill for an E/M along with... Read more
Reader Question:
Fluoroscopy Code
Question: How should I code a nerve block with fluoroscopy?Minnesota Subscriber  Answ... Read more
Reader Question:
F-Wave Study
Question: How should we code an F-wave study without other motor nerve conduction testing?... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Sacral Nerve Stimulation
Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before ... Read more
New Trigger Point Injection Codes Allow Practices More Precision
When CPT Codes 2002 was introduced, PM&R coders were pleased to see new trigg... Read more
Update Practice Systems:
Autonomic Testing Codes Are No Longer Bundled
Designed to test whether a patient suffers from nerve disorders, the autonomic nervou... Read more
CCI 8.0 Disallows Billing New Motion Analysis with EMG
CCI 8.0, effective Jan. 1 through March 31, includes more than 8,000 changes. Most signi... Read more
Reader Question:
Billing for New Patient with No Exam
Question: Our physiatrist saw a patient today for rheumatoid arthritis. She had been to th... Read more
Reader Question:
Care Plan Oversight
Question: I'm confused about the difference between the care plan oversight codes G0181... Read more
Reader Question:
Group Therapy Versus Concurrent Therapy
Question: Our therapist treats several patients in the same room at the same time, but use... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Billing for Drugs
Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before loo... Read more
2002 Medicare Fee Schedule Addresses Medical Nutrition Therapy, Incident To
CMS issued its new fee schedule on Nov. 1, 2001, with important changes affecting the ... Read more
Symptoms and Testing Go Hand in Hand With Pain Therapy
Physiatrists often diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS, 354.0), de Quervain's disease... Read more
Reader Question:
Referred Patients
Question: I work for a physiatrist who does not use any new patient CPT Codes . Becau... Read more
Reader Question:
Preventive Visit Versus Follow-Up Exam
Question: One of our new coders told me 1) if a physician tells a patient to come in once ... Read more
Reader Question:
Neuromuscular Re-Education
Question: We often bill the code for neuromuscular re-education of movement for our cerebr... Read more
Reader Question:
Diagnosis Codes for Lab Tests
Question: A patient presenting for a physical examination complained of fatigue and joint ... Read more
Reader Question:
Workers Compensation
Question: We have a workers compensation patient with a herniated disk. The physiatrist ha... Read more
You Be the Coder:
SPECT Imaging
Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before loo... Read more
Append Correct Modifiers to Diskography Codes To Ethically Optimize Reimbursement
PM&R practices that specialize in back pain are quite familiar with the correct codes... Read more
OIG Cracks Down on Bone Density Screening Claims
In October, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (O... Read more
Anthrax Coding Report Free on Web
 Physicians and other healthcare professionals who provide services to any patients w... Read more
Reader Question:
Trigger-Point Injections
Question: I was just hired as a coder at a medical practice and have two questions about t... Read more
Reader Question:
One Diagnosis Code Per Modality?
Question: A therapist in our practice was told that we can use only one diagnosis code p... Read more
Reader Question:
Matching ICD-9 Codes
Question: Sometimes our therapist receives orders from the physiatrist with diagnoses... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Billing Discharge Code When On-Call
Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before loo... Read more
Available Years:  2002  2001  2000