Psychiatry Coding & Reimbursement Alert
Note That Provider is Responsible Irrespective of Who Chooses E/M
Question: One of our psychiatrists allows his medical assistant to choose his E/M codes. The assistant is not a certified coder and always picks the highest E/M code possible. Is there anything in writing stating that only a certified coder or physician can choose the codes?
Pennsylvania Subscriber
Answer: You won’t find any written guidelines stating that a physician or certified coder must choose procedure codes. Your psychiatrist can delegate that responsibility to another person, but he needs to understand that doing so does not release him from liability related to the other person’s actions. Your clinician is ultimately responsible for services reported under his name and NPI, regardless of who selects the codes.
Suggestion: Print out some bell curves on appropriate E/M code levels to show to your psychiatrist and his medical assistant. Discuss the possibility of increasing your chances of an audit because of all the high-level codes. Also provide education helping the medical assistant distinguish between the different code levels, so his choices will be more in line with the services provided.
Psychiatry Coding & Reimbursement Alert
- CPT® 2014 Update:
Update Your E/M Code Lists With New Interprofessional E/M Codes in 2014
Plus: Don’t forget to add the new Category II codes to existing PQRS measures. When [...] - Physician Signatures:
3 Tips Highlight Signature Rules and Exceptions
Analyze CMS’s requirements or you risk the wrong use of signatures. If you’re finding signature [...] - Clip and Save:
Consider This Sample Signature Attestation Lingo
Novitas Solutions, the Part B MAC for eight states, says that although CMS does not [...] - ICD-10 Update:
Cheer for a Simple One-to-One Transition For Postconcussion Syndrome
Don’t forget: Use additional code to report post-traumatic headache, if present. When reporting a diagnosis [...] - You Be the Coder:
Reporting Higher E/M Code for Suicidal Patients? Not so Fast
Question: Our psychiatrist performed an E/M service and noted suicidal ideation during the service. Can [...] - Reader Question:
Know When Marital Counseling is a Covered Diagnosis
Question: If our psychiatrist is providing therapy for a husband and wife, how do I [...] - Reader Question:
Count Time When Clinician Discusses Treatment Options
Question: My psychiatrist did a counseling session with the parents of a minor regarding the [...] - Reader Question:
Use Symptoms To Support Tests When Final Diagnosis is Unavailable
Question: I’ve been told that if the treating physician orders a test based on a [...] - Reader Question:
Note That Provider is Responsible Irrespective of Who Chooses E/M
Question: One of our psychiatrists allows his medical assistant to choose his E/M codes. The [...]
