Primary Care Coding Alert
New V Code Makes Billing Chickenpox Exposure a Snap
Our clip-and-post chart reveals upcoming family practice diagnostic changes Does your practice face denials when a mother presents with her asymptomatic child who was recently exposed to chickenpox? You can rest easy, thanks to the new edition of ICD-9. ICD-9 now contains more than 20 "contact with or exposure to" codes, but nothing specific to varicella exposure. If you examine an asymptomatic child for varicella due to possible exposure, you have to submit the nonspecific code V01.7 (Contact with or exposure to communicable diseases; other viral diseases). When the new ICD-9 codes become effective on Oct. 1 (check payers'specific implementation dates), you'll be able to assign V01.71 (... varicella). In addition to adding V01.71 to your encounter form, make sure to update V72.3 (Special investigations and examinations; gynecological examination). This code will require a fifth digit of "1" as of Oct. 1, to indicate "Routine gynecological examination." Afifth digit of "2" will indicate "Encounter for Papanicolaou cervical smear to confirm findings of recent normal smear following initial abnormal smear."
Upcoming Family Practice Coding Alert issues will keep you abreast of V code additions and other ICD-9 2005 changes, including expert advice on how to implement useful new family practice diagnostic codes. Here's a sneak peek at the new codes you can expect this fall.
Primary Care Coding Alert
- 1 Tool You Need Before Coding a Skin Lesion Excision
" CPT, ICD-9 force you to withhold suspicious-lesion claims Don't be tempted to bill claims [...] - Inconclusive Path Report?:
Uncertain,Unspecified Diagnosis Codes May Help You
Even though uncertain and unspecified diagnoses don't apply to suspicious lesions, you should link 238.x [...] - You Be the Coder:
Test Your New Patient Component Savvy
Question: A 22-year-old female who is new to our practice presents with irregular menses. Our [...] - NCCI 10.2 Adds New Bundles of Joy to Maternity Care Codes
The National Correct Coding Initiative, version 10.2, goes into effect on July 1, and while [...] - Get the NCCI 10.2 Rundown Here
Integrate these new FP bundles July 1 Forget fumbling through pages of edits on the [...] - Pediatric Coding Corner:
3 Documentation Tips Improve Your Precath-E/M Pay
Separate chart notes and diagnoses justify office visit reimbursement You can overturn denials for an [...] - ICD-9 2005 Preview:
New V Code Makes Billing Chickenpox Exposure a Snap
Our clip-and-post chart reveals upcoming family practice diagnostic changes Does your practice face denials when [...] - Reader Question:
Go Beyond CPT for Dystrophic Nail Trimming Code
Question: A family physician's documentation reads, "Trimmed dystrophic nails." He doesn't mention any debridement. Should [...] - Reader Question:
Combine Same-Day E/Ms Into 1
Question: A family physician treats in our office a patient who has difficulty breathing. Because [...] - Reader Question:
FP's Opinion Counts When Coding ECG's I&R
Question: What should my family physician document to claim electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation and report (I&R)? [...] - Reader Question:
Time-Based Billing Is Key to Counseling Coding
Question: During the annual physical of a 19-year-old established patient, the family physician diagnoses him [...] - Reader Question:
Do You Know Medicare's New CBC Codes?
Question: An office staff member draws a Medicare patient's blood and performs a complete blood [...] - 4 Steps Reduce Denials for Teaching Physician Services
Techniques can clarify confusing Medicare guidelines When a physician works as a "teaching physician" (TP) [...] - You Be the Expert:
TP Rules and Med Students
Question: I've heard about the new teaching physician (TP) guidelines and was wondering whom they [...] - Reader Question:
Know the Meaning of 'Immediately Available'
Question: If the doctor has to leave the room for a few minutes during a [...]
