Radiology Coding Alert

Be sure you catch which physician should use new modifier AI. You finally may have gotten comfortable with the idea that radiologists may code consultations, but in 2010, CMS has declared that consult codes are taboo for its patients. What to do: CMS’s decision means that in 2010, you should report an appropriate non-consult E/M code for Medicare patients when the visit meets CPT’s consult requirements. Apply these tips to boost your chances of capturing every E/M correctly the first time. Don’t Expect an Easy Crosswalk The rule: “Beginning January 1, 2010, we will eliminate the use of all consultation codes (inpatient and office/outpatient codes for various places of service except for telehealth consultation G codes) on a budget neutral basis by increasing the work RVUs for new and established office visits” and for initial hospital and initial nursing facility visits, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule notes. [...]