Primary Care Coding Alert
Coding Doesn't Change When Unna Boot Does
Question: An established patient with a diagnosis of superficial thrombrophlebitis of the lower left leg reports to the FP for Unna boot fitting. The FP places the Unna boot on the patient, and directs her to return in four days for a change of dressing. Four days later, the patient returns and a licensed nonphysician practitioner (NPP) changes the dressing and sends the patient home. How should I code these encounters? Is the second visit codeable, considering it happened only four days after the initial fitting? Alabama Subscriber Answer: You should code both visits with the Unnaboot code; on the claim, report the following: " 29580 (Strapping; Unna boot) for the initial fitting " modifier LT (Left side) appended to 29580 to show which leg the FP treats " 29580-LT for the change of dressing " 451.0 (Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis; of superficial vessels of lower extremities) appended to both 29580 codes to represent the patients condition. Reasoning: CPT instructs coders to use 29580 for both Unna boot application and dressing change. The code has a global period of zero days, so you do not need to worry about frequency edits.
Primary Care Coding Alert
- Tally TPI Targets or Risk Miscoding Claim
4-step FAQ can make you a top TPI gun. FP coders who want to perfect [...] - Top-Notch Dx Coding Keys Concurrent Care Claims
$$$ can fly out the door if ICD-9 overlap afflicts claim. Getting the most accurate [...] - You Be the Coder :
ID Different Cyst I&D Types
Question: An established patient reports to the FP with a tender mass at the apex [...] - Follow 3 Steps to Burn Through Dx Coding Duties
Start at 940.x and work your way up on burn ICD-9s. When your FP performs [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Count Minutes on 'Counseling Exception' Claims
Question: A new patient with juvenile diabetes meets with the FP for management of her [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Get Specific With New Hematuria ICD-9s
Question: A 28-year-old established patient reports to the FP complaining of burning during urination and [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Method Provides Coding Clues on Ear FBR
Question: A father brings his 2-year-old son in to the FP with an injury to [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Coding Doesn't Change When Unna Boot Does
Question: An established patient with a diagnosis of superficial thrombrophlebitis of the lower left leg [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Coders Disagree on Foot FBR Specifics
Question: A 43-year-old established patient meets the FP at the hospital with an injured foot; [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Dermabond = Laceration Repair, Usually
Question: The FP treats an established 18-year-old patient who has a long,but superficial, cut on [...]
