Radiology Coding Alert
Medicare Nearly Doubles Ophthalmic A-Scan Pay
If Medicare's 2004 Physician Fee Schedule left you feeling shortchanged, a new CMS update may offer some good news. On Feb. 20, CMS released Transmittal 105, which corrects mistakes that existed in the original fee schedule.
Most notably, Medicare nearly doubled the relative value units (RVUs) assigned to ophthalmic A-scans (76516, Ophthalmic biometry by ultrasound echography, A-scan). Both the nonfacility and facility practice expense RVUs rose from a mere 0.73 to a whopping 1.45. Based on the 2004 conversion factor of 37.3374, this represents a $27 raise (unadjusted for location).
The following is a breakdown of the RVU changes that affect radiologists.
Radiology Coding Alert
- 4 Answers for Your SPECT Bone Procedure Coding Questions
If you assume that CPT 78306 is bundled into 78320, you could be writing off [...] - Clip and Save Chart:
Know Your Bone-Scan Code Pairs
Use this nuclear-medicine code crosswalk to save time and cut denials
If your practice has [...] - Performing DEXA or Mammo Too Often? Prepare an ABN
Don't write off the $100-$150 that Medicare allots for 76092 and 76075
If you're researching payable [...] - News You Can Use:
Medicare Nearly Doubles Ophthalmic A-Scan Pay
CMS' fee schedule update increases pay for several radiology procedures
If Medicare's 2004 Physician Fee [...] - Coding Update:
Say Farewell to NCCI's CVC Guidance Edit
The edit that bundled 76937 and 75998 was short-lived but caused quite a stir - You Be The Coder:
How Should We Report Knee X-Rays?
Question: We performed an upright weightbearing AP view of both knees, and the coder assigned [...] - Reader Question:
You Can Pair 73580 With 27370
Question: When we perform supervision and interpretation for knee arthrography, can we also report - Reader Question:
Ask the Doctor to Choose Enteroclysis Tube Code
Question: Our radiologist inserted an enteroclysis tube. How should we report this service and the [...] - Reader Question:
Report 76360 for CT Guidance During Biopsy
Question: Our practice performed CT guidance during a liver biopsy. How should we report our [...] - Reader Question:
Ask Your Payer How You Should Report CT Cardiac Scoring
Question: How should we report CT cardiac scoring? We would like to bill for the [...] - Get ABNs, or Risk Picking Up Patient Tabs
Without ABNs, unpaid Medicare bills may become your problem
If you aren't obtaining advance beneficiary notices [...] - ABNs:
What to Change, What to Leave Alone
Got an itch to make a switch on an ABN? Proceed with caution
When it comes [...] - You Be The Expert:
ABNs and Uncovered Medicare Services
Question: Our office obtains advance beneficiary notices each time there is some doubt about whether [...] - Reader Question:
Follow the CMS Definition of 'Deliver'
Question: Since the purpose of an ABN is to inform the patient about a service, [...]
