Primary Care Coding Alert
CPT® Coding:
Master Vaccine Administration Reporting With These 4 Useful Tips
Don’t forget to aptly report vaccine supply codes. When your clinician administe... Read more
Master Vaccine Administration Reporting With These 4 Useful Tips
Don’t forget to aptly report vaccine supply codes. When your clinician administe... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Perfect Your I&D Reporting Skills With This Quiz
Garner ethical pay for repeat procedures within global period. When your clinician per... Read more
Perfect Your I&D Reporting Skills With This Quiz
Garner ethical pay for repeat procedures within global period. When your clinician per... Read more
CMS Update:
Here's Your Chance to Change Medicare Participating or Nonparticipating Status
Note: Participating providers receive five percent higher fees for services. As the ye... Read more
Here's Your Chance to Change Medicare Participating or Nonparticipating Status
Note: Participating providers receive five percent higher fees for services. As the ye... Read more
Quiz Answers:
Compare Your Answers to I&D Reporting Coding Quiz
Read our experts’ opinions on deciphering these scenarios. Scenario 1: Simple vs... Read more
Compare Your Answers to I&D Reporting Coding Quiz
Read our experts’ opinions on deciphering these scenarios. Scenario 1: Simple vs... Read more
Reader Question:
Know What to Report When Your FP Identifies Feeding Difficulties
Question: If our FP reported “feeding difficulties,” what code should I... Read more
Know What to Report When Your FP Identifies Feeding Difficulties
Question: If our FP reported “feeding difficulties,” what code should I... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Understand if FBR Code Holds Water For Sting Removals
Question: An established patient presented to our FP after being stung by a bee. Ou... Read more
Understand if FBR Code Holds Water For Sting Removals
Question: An established patient presented to our FP after being stung by a bee. Ou... Read more
CCI 22.3 Update:
Debridement Tops the List of Latest CCI Edits Affecting Family Medicine Services
Here’s what to do when the debridement code is in column one. If you have scoure... Read more
Debridement Tops the List of Latest CCI Edits Affecting Family Medicine Services
Here’s what to do when the debridement code is in column one. If you have scoure... Read more
E/M Coding:
Perfect Prolonged Services Reporting with These 5 Handy Tips
Hint: Don’t add up time for indirect care with face-to-face care. When your clin... Read more
Perfect Prolonged Services Reporting with These 5 Handy Tips
Hint: Don’t add up time for indirect care with face-to-face care. When your clin... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Boost Your Burn Coding Accuracy With This Expert Advice
Hint: Don’t forget to report the cause of burn with diagnosis codes. When report... Read more
Boost Your Burn Coding Accuracy With This Expert Advice
Hint: Don’t forget to report the cause of burn with diagnosis codes. When report... Read more
Reader Question:
Understand if 97005 Can be Reported for Sports Physicals
Question: I am new to Family Medicine Coding, and I was looking at reporting sports... Read more
Understand if 97005 Can be Reported for Sports Physicals
Question: I am new to Family Medicine Coding, and I was looking at reporting sports... Read more
You Be the Coder:
69209 For Clearing Cerumen for Ear Exam? Not So Fast
Question: Our clinician performed removal of cerumen by irrigating the ears of a pa... Read more
69209 For Clearing Cerumen for Ear Exam? Not So Fast
Question: Our clinician performed removal of cerumen by irrigating the ears of a pa... Read more
CPT® 2017 Update:
Get A First Glimpse Of Coding Changes Affecting Family Medicine In 2017
Influenza vaccines will now be based on dosage. If you have been thinking about what C... Read more
Get A First Glimpse Of Coding Changes Affecting Family Medicine In 2017
Influenza vaccines will now be based on dosage. If you have been thinking about what C... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Get Clarity on ICD-10 Codes to Report Zika Virus
Use symptoms to support testing for the virus. As more patients with Zika virus relate... Read more
Get Clarity on ICD-10 Codes to Report Zika Virus
Use symptoms to support testing for the virus. As more patients with Zika virus relate... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Get Bang on Your Laceration Reporting Code with These Three Steps
Hint: Check CCI when reporting multiple wounds of same class. When your clinician perf... Read more
Get Bang on Your Laceration Reporting Code with These Three Steps
Hint: Check CCI when reporting multiple wounds of same class. When your clinician perf... Read more
Reader Question:
Thinking of Reporting FBR with Wound Exploration? Not So Fast
Question: Our clinician recently performed wound exploration for a patient who had ... Read more
Thinking of Reporting FBR with Wound Exploration? Not So Fast
Question: Our clinician recently performed wound exploration for a patient who had ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Add up Aspiration and Injections During Arthrocentesis
Question: When our physician performed arthrocentesis of the left shoulder, he perf... Read more
Add up Aspiration and Injections During Arthrocentesis
Question: When our physician performed arthrocentesis of the left shoulder, he perf... Read more
E/M Coding:
Benefit from These 4 Handy E/M Coding Tips or Lose Precious Dollars
Watch for chances to upcode the encounter. When reporting E/M encounters, you might en... Read more
Benefit from These 4 Handy E/M Coding Tips or Lose Precious Dollars
Watch for chances to upcode the encounter. When reporting E/M encounters, you might en... Read more
Preventive Services:
Ace Tobacco Cessation Counseling Reporting With These 4 Pointers
Document time accurately to avoid chances of underpayments. When reporting tobacco ces... Read more
Ace Tobacco Cessation Counseling Reporting With These 4 Pointers
Document time accurately to avoid chances of underpayments. When reporting tobacco ces... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Perfect Wound Debridement Reporting with These 4 Helpful Tips
Hint: Watch edits when reporting multiple wound debridements of different depths. When... Read more
Perfect Wound Debridement Reporting with These 4 Helpful Tips
Hint: Watch edits when reporting multiple wound debridements of different depths. When... Read more
Reader Question:
Get Clear Whether 69209 Can be Reported With 69210
Question: Our FP performed removal of cerumen impaction of both the ears. He remove... Read more
Get Clear Whether 69209 Can be Reported With 69210
Question: Our FP performed removal of cerumen impaction of both the ears. He remove... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know if Reporting Established E/M is Possible Without Physical Exam
Question: I have newly joined into family medicine coding. Recently, when reporting... Read more
Know if Reporting Established E/M is Possible Without Physical Exam
Question: I have newly joined into family medicine coding. Recently, when reporting... Read more
Mythbuster:
Don't Allow These 4 New vs. Established E/M Myths to Falter Your Claims
Hint: Patient status determined by physician relationship, not by POS. Whenever a pati... Read more
Don't Allow These 4 New vs. Established E/M Myths to Falter Your Claims
Hint: Patient status determined by physician relationship, not by POS. Whenever a pati... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Ensure FBR Reporting Success with These 5 Useful Tips
Hint: Don’t use FBR codes if your clinician doesn’t perform an incision. W... Read more
Ensure FBR Reporting Success with These 5 Useful Tips
Hint: Don’t use FBR codes if your clinician doesn’t perform an incision. W... Read more
Preventive Services:
Master Bone Density Screening Reporting With These 4 Steps
Hint: Don’t use ‘M codes’ when the patient comes for screening. When... Read more
Master Bone Density Screening Reporting With These 4 Steps
Hint: Don’t use ‘M codes’ when the patient comes for screening. When... Read more
Reader Question:
Support Laceration Repair Codes with Appropriate Diagnosis Codes
Question: Our FP recently reviewed a 21-year-old established male patient who had r... Read more
Support Laceration Repair Codes with Appropriate Diagnosis Codes
Question: Our FP recently reviewed a 21-year-old established male patient who had r... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Get Informed on What to Report for Ear Wick Insertion
Question: Our FP recently saw a patient with infection of the left inner ear. In or... Read more
Get Informed on What to Report for Ear Wick Insertion
Question: Our FP recently saw a patient with infection of the left inner ear. In or... Read more
Incident-to Billing:
Get Proficient With Incident-to Billing For NPP Services
Understand guidelines properly or you might be raising unnecessary red flags. As a fam... Read more
Get Proficient With Incident-to Billing For NPP Services
Understand guidelines properly or you might be raising unnecessary red flags. As a fam... Read more
Medicare News:
Save Precious Dollars For Your Practice by Making Full Use of JW Modifier
Watch for new Medicare ruling on JW modifier for discarded drugs. If you are losing ou... Read more
Save Precious Dollars For Your Practice by Making Full Use of JW Modifier
Watch for new Medicare ruling on JW modifier for discarded drugs. If you are losing ou... Read more
Mythbuster:
Bust These 3 Allergy Testing Myths and Avoid Losing Precious Dollars
Hint: Watch number of allergens tested when counting units of code. When your FP perfo... Read more
Bust These 3 Allergy Testing Myths and Avoid Losing Precious Dollars
Hint: Watch number of allergens tested when counting units of code. When your FP perfo... Read more
Reader Question:
Reporting Cast Removals Separately? Not so Fast
Question: Our FP recently performed removal of a cast for a patient. So, should I r... Read more
Reporting Cast Removals Separately? Not so Fast
Question: Our FP recently performed removal of a cast for a patient. So, should I r... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Report Appropriate Z Codes For High Risk Sexual Behavior
Question: Our FP recently saw a 25-year-old female patient in our practice. He susp... Read more
Report Appropriate Z Codes For High Risk Sexual Behavior
Question: Our FP recently saw a 25-year-old female patient in our practice. He susp... Read more
ICD-10 Update:
Watch Out For These 5 Proposed ICD-10 Changes Coming Your Way in 2017
Hint: You will now have to look at affected “eye” when reporting diabetic co... Read more
Watch Out For These 5 Proposed ICD-10 Changes Coming Your Way in 2017
Hint: You will now have to look at affected “eye” when reporting diabetic co... Read more
CCI 22.1 Update:
Take Note of Latest CCI Edits Affecting Family Medicine Services
New CCI edits bundles IV infusions with almost every service or procedure. If you have... Read more
Take Note of Latest CCI Edits Affecting Family Medicine Services
New CCI edits bundles IV infusions with almost every service or procedure. If you have... Read more
Mythbuster:
Bust These 3 Common Myths to Ensure Lesion Removal Reporting Success
Hint: Number of lesions govern the code you select for the procedure. You may often fi... Read more
Bust These 3 Common Myths to Ensure Lesion Removal Reporting Success
Hint: Number of lesions govern the code you select for the procedure. You may often fi... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Get Confused About Diameter For Shaves and Excisions
Question: When our FP performs shaving or excision of a lesion, should we take into... Read more
Don't Get Confused About Diameter For Shaves and Excisions
Question: When our FP performs shaving or excision of a lesion, should we take into... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know The Diagnosis Code For Reporting Cervical Vaccine
Question: Our FP recently administered Gardasil injection for a female patient. Wha... Read more
Know The Diagnosis Code For Reporting Cervical Vaccine
Question: Our FP recently administered Gardasil injection for a female patient. Wha... Read more
HIV Screening:
Update Your Screening Services Arsenal by Adding G0475
Hint: Repeat screenings are only allowed within a year for pregnant women. When your F... Read more
Update Your Screening Services Arsenal by Adding G0475
Hint: Repeat screenings are only allowed within a year for pregnant women. When your F... Read more
Mythbuster:
Unlock These 3 Myths to Ensure Milia Treatment Reporting Success
Know the difference between 10040 and 17110. When your FP treats a case of milia, if y... Read more
Unlock These 3 Myths to Ensure Milia Treatment Reporting Success
Know the difference between 10040 and 17110. When your FP treats a case of milia, if y... Read more
Quick Tip:
Pay Heed to Valid Subpoenas Requesting Patient Info
Remember: No judge’s decree, no patient info for requester. In a past issue of t... Read more
Pay Heed to Valid Subpoenas Requesting Patient Info
Remember: No judge’s decree, no patient info for requester. In a past issue of t... Read more
Compliance:
Get Insurance Verification Done Fast or You Might End up Losing Hundreds of Dollars
Double check to ensure patient’s insurance info is valid before first visit. Whe... Read more
Get Insurance Verification Done Fast or You Might End up Losing Hundreds of Dollars
Double check to ensure patient’s insurance info is valid before first visit. Whe... Read more
Reader Question:
Base ED Diagnosis Reporting on Underlying Cause
Question: Recently, our FP reviewed a male patient and made a diagnosis of erectile... Read more
Base ED Diagnosis Reporting on Underlying Cause
Question: Recently, our FP reviewed a male patient and made a diagnosis of erectile... Read more
Reader Question:
Append Appropriate Modifier for Substituting Physicians
Question: We are a group practice and if a FP who is not a part of our group is sub... Read more
Append Appropriate Modifier for Substituting Physicians
Question: We are a group practice and if a FP who is not a part of our group is sub... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Can Oxygen Therapy During E/M Be Billed Separately? Find Out
Question: Our clinician recently ordered for oxygen therapy to a patient in the off... Read more
Can Oxygen Therapy During E/M Be Billed Separately? Find Out
Question: Our clinician recently ordered for oxygen therapy to a patient in the off... Read more
Preventive Medicine:
Test Your E/M with Preventive Medicine Reporting Skills With These 2 Scenarios
Hint: Don’t forget to support E/M codes with appropriate diagnosis codes. When y... Read more
Test Your E/M with Preventive Medicine Reporting Skills With These 2 Scenarios
Hint: Don’t forget to support E/M codes with appropriate diagnosis codes. When y... Read more
CPT® Coding Strategies:
Know Your Options to Report Nail Treatments to Avoid Denials
Key: Distinguish 11730, 11750 and 11765 from routine foot care. In your practice, you ... Read more
Know Your Options to Report Nail Treatments to Avoid Denials
Key: Distinguish 11730, 11750 and 11765 from routine foot care. In your practice, you ... Read more
Patient Relations:
Avoid Patient Relationship Getting Affected by Delayed Record Requests
Don’t get into legal hassles by postponing patient demands for records. You migh... Read more
Avoid Patient Relationship Getting Affected by Delayed Record Requests
Don’t get into legal hassles by postponing patient demands for records. You migh... Read more
Reader Question:
Billing Same Level E/M for Follow-up Visits? Tread Carefully
Question: Our FP recently saw a patient who was suffering from an abscess on the fo... Read more
Billing Same Level E/M for Follow-up Visits? Tread Carefully
Question: Our FP recently saw a patient who was suffering from an abscess on the fo... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Confused About Reporting Incomplete Annual Exam? Here's What to Do
Question: A 16-year-old girl presents for a well-child preventive medicine service&... Read more
Confused About Reporting Incomplete Annual Exam? Here's What to Do
Question: A 16-year-old girl presents for a well-child preventive medicine service&... Read more
CPT® Coding Strategies:
Get Proficient With Reporting of Advance Care Planning Services
Hint: Coinsurance and deductible don’t apply when ACP is part of AWV. If you hav... Read more
Get Proficient With Reporting of Advance Care Planning Services
Hint: Coinsurance and deductible don’t apply when ACP is part of AWV. If you hav... Read more
Preventive Care:
Clarify on Your Vaccine Queries through Answers From Your Payers
Hint: Coverage for HPV vaccines is dependent on age of the patient. As immunizations a... Read more
Clarify on Your Vaccine Queries through Answers From Your Payers
Hint: Coverage for HPV vaccines is dependent on age of the patient. As immunizations a... Read more
E/M Coding:
Failure to Identify Proper ROS Count Could Cost Your Practice Hundreds of Dollars
Hint: You could report a higher level E/M for a complete ROS. When you’re report... Read more
Failure to Identify Proper ROS Count Could Cost Your Practice Hundreds of Dollars
Hint: You could report a higher level E/M for a complete ROS. When you’re report... Read more
Reader Question:
Planning on Reporting Digital Block With Excision? Think Again
Question: Our FP performed a toenail excision and nail bed repair with a digital bl... Read more
Planning on Reporting Digital Block With Excision? Think Again
Question: Our FP performed a toenail excision and nail bed repair with a digital bl... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Watch Global Period for Repeat Abscess Drainage
Question: A patient reported back to our physician for a wound check following drai... Read more
Watch Global Period for Repeat Abscess Drainage
Question: A patient reported back to our physician for a wound check following drai... Read more
CCI 22.0 Update:
Plug into CCI 22.0 Edits When Reporting New CPT® 2016 Codes
Make the distinction between modifier indicators of ‘1’ and ‘0.’... Read more
Plug into CCI 22.0 Edits When Reporting New CPT® 2016 Codes
Make the distinction between modifier indicators of ‘1’ and ‘0.’... Read more
Foot Care:
Perfect Routine Foot Care Claims For Diabetics With These Three Tips
Check your local allowed primary diagnostic codes to ensure timely reimbursement. If y... Read more
Perfect Routine Foot Care Claims For Diabetics With These Three Tips
Check your local allowed primary diagnostic codes to ensure timely reimbursement. If y... Read more
Compliance:
Receive Deserved Reimbursement for Uncovered Services with ABNs
ABN protocols can have residual effects on patient relations. If you don’t want ... Read more
Receive Deserved Reimbursement for Uncovered Services with ABNs
ABN protocols can have residual effects on patient relations. If you don’t want ... Read more
Reader Question:
Know If Reporting Same Day Tendon Injections and Strapping is Allowed
Question: Our clinician performed injection of a therapeutic agent into a tendon sh... Read more
Know If Reporting Same Day Tendon Injections and Strapping is Allowed
Question: Our clinician performed injection of a therapeutic agent into a tendon sh... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Count Lesions and Not Number of Injections for Reporting 11900/11901
Question: Our FP recently performed intralesional injections for a patient. He admi... Read more
Count Lesions and Not Number of Injections for Reporting 11900/11901
Question: Our FP recently performed intralesional injections for a patient. He admi... Read more
E/M Coding:
Look Towards Modifier 25 to Procure Deserved E/M Reimbursement
If you’re wondering if you should use this modifier, ask yourself these four quest... Read more
Look Towards Modifier 25 to Procure Deserved E/M Reimbursement
If you’re wondering if you should use this modifier, ask yourself these four quest... Read more
ICD-10:
Follow These 'Code Also' Guidelines When Reporting Burns
Remember: These ‘x’ characters are merely placeholders. When reporting bur... Read more
Follow These 'Code Also' Guidelines When Reporting Burns
Remember: These ‘x’ characters are merely placeholders. When reporting bur... Read more
Electronic Health Record:
Know How You Can Stay Abreast of Your EHR System Using These 3 Tips
Surprisingly, EHRs adding to difficulties instead of reducing workload, says study. If... Read more
Know How You Can Stay Abreast of Your EHR System Using These 3 Tips
Surprisingly, EHRs adding to difficulties instead of reducing workload, says study. If... Read more
Reader Question:
Check These Options to Bill Physicals Correctly
Question: We are starting to get appointment requests from patients reporting for physic... Read more
Check These Options to Bill Physicals Correctly
Question: We are starting to get appointment requests from patients reporting for physic... Read more
Reader Question:
Figure Out the Right Way to Go About Hiring a Locum
Question: We have a physician that is taking a six-month sabbatical soon, and we need to... Read more
Figure Out the Right Way to Go About Hiring a Locum
Question: We have a physician that is taking a six-month sabbatical soon, and we need to... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Watch Depth and Location While Reporting FBR
Question: Our FP performed a minor surgery on a patient to remove a wooden splinter from... Read more
Watch Depth and Location While Reporting FBR
Question: Our FP performed a minor surgery on a patient to remove a wooden splinter from... Read more