Pulmonology Coding Alert

File that E/M claim regardless of inconclusive diagnosis -- but make sure you document everything.The level of evaluation and management (E/M) services provided during patient encounters for the pulmonology practice remains high. In fact, your physician's income could largely depend on the RVUs attached to the E/M codes. However, ample questions continue to surface about how to properly report these services.Put your E/M coding skills to the test by examining the following Q&A.Check Physicians' Matching Tax ID Before Billing 'New Patient'Question 1: My clinic consists of multiple-specialty groups of physicians, and lately we have had a case of rejection for new patient visit from Medicare when the patient is indeed a "new patient" for a practice. The pulmonologist performed 31720 (Catheter aspiration [separate procedure]; nasotracheal) on the patient. Before this encounter, a different physician from another practice saw this patient (for the same treatment). This is what Medicare cites as [...]