Eli's Rehab Report
Use 64622 for Nerve Destruction
Question: Our physiatrist performed a radiofrequency thermal coagulation (RFTC) to disable the nerves in a patient's lumbar area. Is there a code for this? Montana Subscriber Answer: If the physiatrist uses RFTC or pulse RFTC in the lumbar or sacral area, report 64622 (Destruction by neurolytic agent, paravertebral facet joint nerve; lumbar or sacral, single level). If the physician addresses additional lumbosacral levels, report +64623 (... lumbar or sacral, each additional level [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) once for each additional level without any modifiers appended. This represents a departure for coders who may be accustomed to reporting 64622 for chemical destruction. The March 2002 CPT Assistant states, however, that the term "agent" describes chemical, thermal, electrical and radiofrequency methods.
Eli's Rehab Report
- Multiple Diagnoses, High Risk May Increase Inpatient Code Level
According to CMS data, physiatrists report 99231 more than any other CPT code, which indicates [...] - You Be the Coder:
Use V67.09 for Annual Visit
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Know CMS Guidelines for Subsequent Hospital Care
The following are CMS'documentation guidelines for the three subsequent hospital care codes:
99231 Subsequent hospital [...] - High-Risk Patients May Warrant 99233
The following scenarios illustrate typical examples of when physiatrists use subsequent hospital care codes: Scenario [...] - Bier Block Coding Can Be Painless
Although you should choose 01995 when administering Bier blocks for surgical anesthesia, some payers do [...] - Clarification:
Coding Late Effects of CVA
The February 2003 article "Use Just One Diagnosis Code for Late Effects of Stroke" advised [...] - Reader Question:
Append -51 to Block With SI Injection
Question: Our physiatrist administered a caudal epidural block and a left sacroiliac (SI) joint injection [...] - Reader Question:
Use 64622 for Nerve Destruction
Question: Our physiatrist performed a radiofrequency thermal coagulation (RFTC) to disable the nerves in a [...] - Reader Question:
Mental Assessment Differs From MME
Question: One of our physiatrists performed a mental assessment on a patient who exhibited symptoms [...] - Reader Question:
Dont Code Both Injection and Nurse Visit
Question: When our nurses administer injections, we usually report the codes for injection administration, the [...] - Reader Question:
Report New MNT Codes for Changes
Question: A dietitian comes to our rehab facility once a week to meet with some [...] - Reader Question:
Medicare Will Deny Prolotherapy
Question: We have been performing an increasing number of prolotherapy injections in our practice, but [...] - Reader Question:
Report 99271 Series for Second Opinions
Question: One of my former patients, whom I havent seen in more than a year, [...]
