Podiatry Coding Alert

Year in Review:
Refresh Your Knowledge of 2023 Coding Updates With This Quick Q&A
Familiarizing yourself with recent coding updates will be the key to a successful new year... Read more
Mythbuster:
Bust These Myths, Take the Drain Out of Coding I&D Procedures
Understanding when to use surgery codes will increase your practice's payout. Performing ... Read more
Practice Management:
Add Valuable Staff to Your Practice Using These 5 Strategies
Implementing these techniques during interviews can lead to financial savings. Are you ex... Read more
Reader Question:
Insert This Understanding to Your Unna Boot Documentation
Question: What is the required documentation to support billing CPT® 29580? I am rel... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Which Modifiers to Use for Toe Modifications
Question: Can 28112 only be billed once or can it be billed multiple times? If you ar... Read more
Reader Question:
Avoid Routinely Denied Foot Care Claims
Question: If a patient comes in, but they don't meet the criteria to bill for routine... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Achieve Wound Vac Victory With This Advice
Question: Can we charge a wound vac reapplication during the global period? Here is t... Read more
Condition Spotlight:
Repair Your Ruptured Achilles Surgery Coding Skills
Focusing on the differences between Achilles tendon repair codes is key. When a patient e... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Don’t Get in a Bind With Strapping and Splinting Claims
Focus on the materials used to simplify the process. In instances where a patient presen... Read more
Practice Management:
Tackle These Common Claim Denial Issues
Use comprehensive documentation for significant claim denial reduction. Understanding a... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Miss These E/M Updates
Question: Are there any upcoming revisions or changes to the evaluation and management (E/... Read more
Reader Questions:
Terminate the Surgery, Don’t Terminate Payment
Question: Our surgeon had to cancel a surgery midway through a procedure for the patient's... Read more
Reader Questions:
Alter CNMs and Risk Committing Fraud
Question: My billing supervisor erased something that the doctor wrote on a certificate o... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Sort Out This Bone Cyst Scenario
Question: A new patient reports to the podiatrist complaining of right ankle pain. The pro... Read more
MDM:
Take a Second Look at the MDM Table
Does data factor into this office visit E/M claim? Given the recent and extensive change... Read more
CPT®:
Navigate the Nuances of Coding for Lesions Versus Tumors
Understand the difference before you code. Was that a lesion or a foot tumor your podiat... Read more
Practice Management:
Improve Patient Satisfaction With QI Principles
Illuminate your practice's weak points through data and documentation. While customer se... Read more
Reader Questions:
Affirm Correct Billing for This Pedorthist Visit
Question: Our pedorthist saw a patient to go over their footwear and feet to determin... Read more
Reader Questions:
Remedy This Removal Code Confusion
Question: When would I report 20670 or 20680 for an implant removal? What is the diff... Read more
Reader Questions:
Audit Your Practice to Improve Accuracy
Question: We recently found there are a few errors our staff members make repeatedly... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Refresh Your Knowledge of Active Wound Care Management
Question: Being new to podiatry coding, I'm confused as to what active wound care man... Read more
Case Study Corner:
Solve This Scenario, Dodge a Nail Matrix Removal Mishap
Hint: Know the difference between nail removal descriptors. A patient presents for a foll... Read more
Mythbusters:
Debunk These Lesion Illusions
Attention to detail will save you from lesion coding mishaps. Coding lesion procedures w... Read more
Practice Management:
Inserting a Pedorthist on Your Staff? Here’s What You Should Know
Be sure you know the limitations of the staff performing services. If you are considerin... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Ruminate Over These Removal Codes
Question: My podiatrist removed 16 warts from the patient's right foot in one visit. Would... Read more
Reader Questions:
Include Modifier to Get Paid for Toe Filler Insert
Question: My podiatrist is trying to bill an L5000 for a nondiabetic Medicare patient. The... Read more
Reader Questions:
Take a Closer Look Before Coding for Castings
Question: We have a physician who is a foot and ankle specialist. He has been sending pati... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code This Same Patient, Separate Service Scenario
Question: Our podiatrist saw an established patient for an ingrown toenail. During the exa... Read more
Modifier Madness:
Unlock These Secrets for Modifier 59 Mastery
Use this modifier accurately for proper reimbursement. Modifier 59 (Distinct procedural s... Read more
Practice Management:
Navigate Provider Queries with Ease
Create clear and concise interactions to elevate your coding expertise. You may find your... Read more
Fracture Care:
Explore These Common Calcaneus Fracture Coding Questions
Report either 28400 or 28405 for closed treatment of a calcaneal fracture. When reporti... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Stress Over Coding This Fracture
Question: If the encounter notes indicate the patient suffered an ankle stress fracture, s... Read more
Reader Questions:
Discern the Difference Between 28055 and 28080
Question: Can you explain the difference between CPT® codes 28055 and 28080? AAPC Forum ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Take This Talectomy and Total Ankle Arthroplasty Advice
Question: Our provider performed a total ankle arthroplasty and talectomy. I know 27702 an... Read more
Reader Questions:
Are You Using the Most Recent ABN Form?
Question: How do I know if I'm using the most up-to-date advance beneficiary notice (ABN) ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Untangle CPT® Coding for This Tendon Release
Question: Is CPT® 27691 the same as tendon transfer? Missouri Subscriber Answer: CPT® ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Decode Distinction Between Congenital/Acquired Flat Feet
Question: My provider is treating a dancer who has pes planovalgus. The podiatrist stated ... Read more
ICD-10:
Master Coding These Multiple Metatarsal Conditions
Examine the symptoms to crack the code on these tricky foot ailments. Patients visiting ... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Test Your Bunion and Bunionette Coding Knowledge
Take this quiz to see if you need a refresher on bunion codes. In your podiatry office, y... Read more
Case Study:
Renew Your Understanding of Office Visits and Chronic Pain
Be sure to pay attention to ICD-10 guidelines and the reason for the visit. Chronic pain ... Read more
Coding Quiz Answers:
Check Your Answers to the Bunion/Bunionette Coding Quiz
Are you as brainy about bunions as you think? Once you've answered the quiz questions on... Read more
Reader Questions:
Explore This Toe Amputation and Resection
Question: Below is an example of a typical note I have to code for amputation: Toes ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Defining Medical Necessity for Precision
Question: What exactly is medical necessity? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: The... Read more
Reader Questions:
Be Aware of Allowable Callus Paring Frequency
Question: Is paring calluses (11055-11057) only covered every 10 weeks for Medicare, ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Don’t Get Tripped Up by This Tricky Toenail Procedure
Question: A patient came into the office for follow-up treatment of an ingrown toenai... Read more
Mythbusters:
Finesse Your Fracture Coding by Busting These 3 Myths
Remember to pay attention to those 7th characters. Patients with fractures of the foot a... Read more
Case Study Corner:
Know Your Coding Options in This Lisfranc Dislocation Case
Follow these steps to understand TMT procedures. When trauma occurs to a foot as it is in... Read more
E/M Coding:
Strengthen Your MDM Savvy With These 5 Podiatry Scenarios
Here's how to juggle the elements for optimal results. Assigning a medical decision maki... Read more
Reader Questions:
Let Provider Assess Risk Level in MDM Decision
Question: How should I determine the evaluation and management (E/M) level with a cor... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Stress Over Coding This Multiple Fracture Encounter
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the patient suffered from a “stress Fx RT a... Read more
Reader Questions:
Mind This Medicare Debridement Decision
Question: Can registered nurses (RNs) perform/bill for a debridement (CPT® 97597)? ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know This Medicare Exception to Unbundle Debridement With Skin Grafts
Question: Our podiatrist debrided a patient's foot wound, then applied skin substitut... Read more
CPT® 2023:
Solve Your Podiatry X-Ray Woes With These 5 Scenarios
Hint: Don't bill for ‘comparison views' in most cases. X-rays can be an important part ... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Remember Sequencing When Reporting Nonpressure Ulcers
Medical terminology will help you code these conditions more easily. Your podiatrist is ... Read more
Guidelines:
Get the Answers to Your External Cause Code Questions
Know when you should — and when you have to —report them. If you're not sure if repor... Read more
Reader Questions:
Take This MAC’s Timely Advice for Medical Record Sign Off
Question: We are having an issue with providers sending us unsigned medical records f... Read more
Reader Questions:
Give This Medicare Surgical Shoe Claim the Boot
Question: I am having trouble coding a surgical shoe (HCPCS L3260). Codify is showing... Read more
Reader Questions:
Explore This Option for Ankle Debridement
Question: Our podiatrist performed an ankle gutter debridement along with peroneal a... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Don’t Bungle This Bunionectomy Bundle
Question: Our podiatrist performed a hallux rigidus correction and a bunionectomy on ... Read more
CPT® 2023:
Stitch Together These 2 Tips for Coding Suture Removals
New codes make it easier to code these services, but watch out for bundles. Reporting sut... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Can You Master This Congenital Condition Diagnosis Coding Quiz?
Hint: You'll look to the ‘Q' series for many such codes. When your podiatrist sees a pa... Read more
Case Study Corner:
Can You Code This Pressure Ulcer Case Study?
Be sure to pay attention to ICD-10-CM guidelines and debridement descriptors. A patient ... Read more
Coding Quiz Answers:
Check Your Answers to Our Congenital Condition Diagnosis Coding Quiz
Time to find out if you really are an ICD-10-CM expert. Once you've answered the quiz que... Read more
Reader Questions:
Mend This Distinct Procedure Modifier Mess
Question: Our podiatrist performed an office/outpatient evaluation and management (E... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Suffer Needless Dx Sequence Stress
Question: Whose responsibility is it to place multiple diagnoses in order of severity... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Make This Metatarsal Modifier Mistake
Question: What is the correct modifier to bill with 28122? I first billed it with a ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Take the Right Steps to Code This Dance Injury Encounter
Question: A patient came to our office after visiting the emergency department (ED) w... Read more
Procedure Coding:
5 Tips Help You Code Unna Boot Applications With Ease
Modifiers key to avoiding massive bundling issues. Unna boot coding can create confusion... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
Don’t Be in Doubt, Check M Series for Gout
Differentiating acute, chronic will be key in identifying the right code. When your podi... Read more
Practice Management:
Know These 3 Nuances, Help Your HIPAA Understanding
Get ready to go b eyond your current comprehension of the law. On Jan. 11, 2023, the Uni... Read more
Reader Questions:
Determine Diabetic Dx Before Submitting This Payer’s Orthotics Claims
Question: UnitedHealthcare is telling us that orthotics are covered for diabetics on... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know Frequency, Medical Necessity for Medicare Foot Care Coverage
Question: Is paring callouses (11055-11057) only covered at the same frequency as nai... Read more
Reader Questions:
Beware Billing Biopsy for Debridement, Fungal Culture
Question: Our podiatrist mechanically debrided and trimmed a patient's dystrophic nai... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Relate These Scenarios to Unrelated Modifier Use
Question: A patient came to our practice seeking a second opinion during the 90-day g... Read more
Fracture Coding:
Take These 3 Tips for Pilon Fracture Coding Success
Hint: focus on treatment approach, and fixate on fixators. Pilon fractures, or plafond fr... Read more
E/M Coding:
Know the Dos and Don’ts of Time-Based E/M Coding
Here's the right way to make every second count. Ever since January 2021, you've had the ... Read more
Procedure Coding:
Bust These Myths for Insightful I&D Reporting
Your podiatrist's bottom line may be depending on it. Incision and drainage (I&D) pro... Read more
Reader Questions:
Determine Dx by These LCD Guidelines
Question: When we bill Medicare for nail trimming and/or debridement, can we only use... Read more
Reader Questions:
Document Deliberation, Drug, and Dosage for Moderate MDM
Question: What qualifies as prescription drug management, which is a moderate-risk le... Read more
Reader Questions:
Note Descriptor Exceptions for Talus Removals
Question: Do I document craterization of the talus and of the medial cuneiform with 2... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Use This Code for Toenail Excision Coding Precision
Question: Our podiatrist completely removed a patient's toenail and evacuated a subun... Read more
Diabetic Footcare:
Maximize Diabetic Neuropathy Foot Care Reimbursement
Use these 3 tips to accurately code routine foot care for diabetics. What may be routine ... Read more
Condition Spotlight:
Stay on Your Toes With Os Trigonum Coding
Make sure your documentation paints a clear picture. Os trigonum syndrome most often aff... Read more
Final Rule:
Find Out How the Final Rule Will Impact Podiatry
CF cuts will affect all specialties. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CM... Read more
Reader Question:
Classify Whether This Patient Is New or Established
Question: A podiatrist in our practice read a computed tomography (CT) scan for a pat... Read more
Reader Question:
Don’t Exclude This ICD-10-CM Instruction Advice
Question: I am still confused by the Excludes1 and Excludes2 instructions in ICD-10-C... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Modifier 25 Appropriately
Question: I've been coding existing patients using the new patient evaluation and man... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code an Austin-Akin Bunionectomy Correctly
Question: I'm coding an Austin-Akin bunionectomy of the big toe of the right foot and I'm ... Read more
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