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Urology Coding Alert

Coding Corner:
Refresh Your Knowledge of 2023 Coding Updates With This Quick Q&A
Familiarizing yourself with recent coding updates will be the key to a successful new year... Read more
Procedure Focus:
Take These 5 Tips to Refine Your Rectocele Repair Coding
Watch for coding differences between rectocele and enterocele repairs. Performing a rect... Read more
Practice Management:
Add Valuable Staff To Your Practice Using These 5 Strategies
Implementing these techniques during interviews can lead to financial savings. Are you lo... Read more
You Be The Coder:
Don’t Let Your Coding Skills Lapse on This Prolapse Case
Question: The urogynecologist on our team carried out an Altis sling procedure to tre... Read more
Reader Question:
Cashing In Separately on Supplies?
Question: I'm new to urology coding and billing. My doctor uses lidocaine jelly 2 per... Read more
Reader Question:
Washing Means Biopsy When It Comes to Cystourethroscopy
Question: I'm currently processing a surgical report that includes a right ureterosco... Read more
Reader Question:
Break Apart This Calculus Conundrum
Question: I need help coding this case. If the provider used #2.5 French laser fiber ... Read more
News You Can Use:
Pay Attention to These CPT® Updates Coming Your Way
E/M times change one more time. You'll be relieved to learn that next year's updates to t... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Take This Quiz for Perfect Penile Prosthesis Claims.
Hint: Understand type, components, and procedure details for accurate documentation. When... Read more
Practice Management:
Improve Patient Satisfaction With QI Principles
Illuminate your practice's weak points through data and documentation. While customer s... Read more
Coding Quiz Answer:
Check Your Answers to Our Penile Prothesis Coding Quiz
Let's check your mastery of this common urology procedure. Once you've answered the qui... Read more
Reader Questions:
Classify This Calcified Uretal Stent Scenario
Question I am trying to code an unusual procedure for the removal of a calcified ureteral ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Examine This Endoscopic Catheter Conundrum
Question: The physician performed an endoscopic examination of a patient's ileovesicostomy... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Obtain the Answer to This Overactive Bladder Case
Question: Would the following sacral nerve neurostimulator implant of electrode array proc... Read more
Mythbuster:
Break Apart These Common Calculus Coding Misconceptions
Improving your knowledge of urinary system stones will save you denials in the long run. ... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Keep CKD Codes Close When Coding These Common Conditions
Take these 3 hints for precision CKD coding. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by... Read more
Practice Management:
Tackle These Common Claim Denial Issues
Use comprehensive documentation for significant claim denial reduction. Navigating the ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Understand How to Execute EKG Services in Your Urology Office
Question: Can a urologist office bill for an Electrocardiogram (EKG), and if so, wha... Read more
Reader Questions:
Smash Coding for Bilateral Procedures With Multiple Kidney Stones
Question: A patient of ours underwent an extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Decode This Cryptic Cystoscope Procedure
Question: Below is my practitioner's surgical note. Can 52281 be billed for this, or ... Read more
Claims and Denials:
Learn How to Avoid These 3 Common Coding Mistakes
Follow these expert tips to improve your claim approval process. If you get frequently f... Read more
ICD-10-CM Coding:
Paint the Full Patient Picture with External Cause Codes
Secondary diagnosis codes provide payers with additional details. Although urology pract... Read more
HIPAA:
Avoid a HIPAA Hiccup, Verify Vendor Background
Ask five key questions to gauge your vendor's HIPAA security awareness. When you choose ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Decode This Prostate Biopsy Puzzle
Question: Can 76872 or 76942 be billed with 55700 for the following procedure? I thi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Are You Using the Most Recent ABN Form?
Question: How do I know if I'm using the most up-to-date advanced beneficiary notice ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Carry On, Nothing New to See in 2024 ICD-10-CM Guidelines
Question: Are there any new guideline changes I need to be aware of for urology codin... Read more
Reader Questions:
Decode This DME Dilemma
Question: If a patient has a kidney stone and the urologist gives them a urine strain... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Refresh Your Cystourethroscopy Coding Skills with This Scenario
Question: I have a question about the following note, which describes a procedure tha... Read more
ICD-10-CM 2024:
Scope Out Nephropathy, Urethral Stricture Dx Code Updates
Start preparing now for October 1 code changes. ‘Tis the season! ICD-10-CM annual updat... Read more
ICD-10-CM 2024:
Look Beyond the Codes for Accurate ICD-10-CM Coding
Missing notes updates will cost your practice. When code updates are released, be sure y... Read more
Surgery:
Avoid Common Stent Placement Errors to Sidestep Payer Scrutiny, Denials
One payer found a 59% error rate for 52332 — find out why. Your urologist may place a ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Check NCCI for SPT Placement Bundling
Question: Can I bill for a cystolithotomy and suprapubic tube (SPT) placement together? I ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Undercode Complicated Foley Placement
Question: How should I report this Foley catheter procedure? The patient had urinary reten... Read more
Reader Questions:
Heed WHO AI Advice
Question: With the popularity of different artificial intelligence (AI) systems, are there... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code This Complicated Catheter Placement
Question: Which CPT® code would I choose for this catheter placement? This patient had a ... Read more
Lab Testing:
Collect for Urinalysis Every Time With 3 Essential Tips
Understanding what ‘constituents' entail will help you code correctly. Urinalysis testi... Read more
RPM:
Check These Facts Before Reporting Remote Patient Monitoring
The OIG has added RPM to its latest Work Plan. Most urology practices increased their us... Read more
CPT® 2023 Review:
Test Your New Hernia Repair Code Knowledge
Have your urologist get specific with size. If your urologist works with general surgeon... Read more
Reader Questions:
Count Test, Surgery Recommendations Despite Patient Refusal
Question: Sometimes my urologist orders a diagnostic test — such as urinary flow, p... Read more
Reader Questions:
Rejoice in Cigna Modifier 25 Reprieve
Question: I saw in the last issue of Urology Coding Alert that Cigna has a... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Stop at R31 for Hematuria
Question: I code for a urologic oncologist. I sometimes have to report hematuria diag... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Capture Full Picture With Infection Coding
Question: Is there an ICD-10-CM code for a systemic Bacillus Calmette- Guerin (BCG) i... Read more
Modifiers:
Let 4 Examples Show Which Modifiers Apply to Halted Urology Surgeries
Hint: If the urologist doesn't even see the patient, you can't report a procedure. Not e... Read more
News You Can Use:
Look Ahead to New Neurostimulator, Remote Uroflometry Codes in 2024
Category III codes will accommodate new technologies. Each new year brings new codes, and... Read more
Payer Policy:
Decipher Cigna’s New Modifier 25 Payment Process
Remember to appeal when warranted. If your urologist sees patients with Cigna insurance, ... Read more
Mythbuster:
Break Your Modifier 25 Bad Habits to Improve Claim Acceptance
Even before Cigna and other payers began implementing policies such as the one explained ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Capture Urethral Injury Cause With Y Code
Question: My urologist saw a patient who had an unintentional urethral injury from s... Read more
Reader Questions:
Ensure Management With OTC Medications
Question: My provider sometimes tells patients to take ibuprofen or other commonly av... Read more
Reader Questions:
Check HIPAA Rules Before Denying Record Requests
Question: We have a patient with a large balance who has not responded to requests f... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Don’t Stop at NCCI Edits
Question: I heard there are new guidelines this year for reporting percutaneous nephr... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Master a Few Anatomic Terms to Ace Incontinence Coding
Master a Few Anatomic Terms to Ace Incontinence Coding Hint: Stress incontinence and over... Read more
Compliance:
Assess CERT Findings to Identify Your Risk Areas
Documentation improvement remains a key area on which you should focus. Knowing where to ... Read more
Artificial Intelligence:
Let AMA’s AI Classifications Guide Your Learning
Not all AI is created equal, and knowing the nuances will affect your code categorization... Read more
Reader Questions:
CMS Isn’t Fooling You With These April 1 ICD-10 Updates
Question: Have new codes been recently added to ICD-10-CM? I thought new codes only c... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Automatically Use NCCI to Override a Bundle
Question: I have a physician who keeps wanting to bill 52356 and 52352 together on th... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Test Your Biopsy Imaging Know-How
Question: How would I report the procedure described in this operative report? There ... Read more
Endoscopies:
Break Down Cystourethroscopy Codes to Master 52000-52010 Series
Visualize the codes to these bladder visualization procedures. Because urologists frequen... Read more
Post-Pandemic Prep:
Dig Into Post-PHE Changes Coming Your Way
Helpful: You have until December to make some updates. While it may feel like the pandemi... Read more
Clip and Save:
Implement 7 Tips to Set Your Practice on the Right Post-PHE Path
Start now to ensure you're ready before mid-May's end date. With the end of the COVID-19 ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Determine if PSA Tests Are for Screening or Diagnosis
Question: A 66-year-old male patient was complaining of frequent urination during hi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look to AMA Definitions for MDM Leveling
Question: We have a patient with one chronic problem. It is not worsening, but it is ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Remember Rejected Doesn’t Equal Denied
Question: I filed a claim for a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) proced... Read more
Reader Questions:
Ensure Clear Medical Necessity in Documentation
Question: Our urologists normally bill office visits with post-void residual (PVR) st... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Fall Back on Documentation Details
Question: How would I code this encounter? The test was conducted in our clinic and t... Read more
Excisions:
3 Solutions Solve Your Biggest Penile Lesion Destruction Conundrums
Hint: Lesion type guides your decision on coding from the 54050 series or not. If your u... Read more
Radiation Oncology:
Strengthen Your Brachytherapy Coding With These Dos and Don’ts
Watch out for code bundles. Your urologist may use brachytherapy — the placement of rad... Read more
MPFS Final Rule:
Know Your Payer Before Reporting +99292
CMS changes its tune on how you'll count critical care time. If you focused your review ... Read more
News You Can Use:
Keep Operating Under PHE Rules — For Now
But start preparing, because an end is in sight. On Jan. 11, Department of Health and Hum... Read more
Reader Questions:
Include Escutcheonectomy in Repair Code
Question: How would I code escutcheonectomy? The patient is having scrotoplasty and b... Read more
Reader Questions:
Capture All Components of In-Office Marker Placement
Question: Can I report fiducial marker placement that my urologist performs in the of... Read more
Reader Questions:
Update Your Palmetto Ablation Guidance
Question: I read that Palmetto has changed its rules on transurethral waterjet prosta... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Identify the Main Procedure for Proper Dx Coding
Question: Below is my provider's surgical note. As documented, they performed a robot... Read more
HCPCS Level II 2023 Facility News:
Get to Know OPPS-Specific C Code Updates
If you're a facility coder, add these codes to your arsenal. If your urologist performs s... Read more
ICD-10-CM Coding:
3 Tips Help You Choose the Right Kidney Stone Diagnosis Code
Get to know the terms your urologist might use, and which apply to each code. Your urolog... Read more
Documentation:
Focus on 3 Cs for Clinical Document Improvement
Following advice from industry leaders will set your providers up for success. “If it i... Read more
Reader Question:
Translate Provider Terminology for Accurate Catheter Coding
Question: I'm confused about the types of urinary catheters and how they are coded in... Read more
Reader Question:
Know the Limits of PCM Provision
Question: Who can provide principal care management (PCM) services, and what activiti... Read more
Reader Question:
Define Active Cancer Before Coding
Question: We recently got audited and got dinged for diagnosis coding in office visit... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Capture Payment for Transvaginal Procedure
Question: My urologist documented a laparoscopic transvaginal repair of a rupture to ... Read more
HCPCS Level II 2023 News:
Review HCPCS Level II Updates That Will Impact Your Practice Next Year
Watch for tobacco use correlations to urologic cancers. While there are not major HCPCS L... Read more
HCPCS Level II 2023 News:
Solidify Your 2023 Prolonged Service Coding With 4 Steps
Watch out for differences between CMS and payers following AMA guidelines. Similar to 20... Read more
Clip and Save:
Consult This Chart to Select Codes, Locate Thresholds
To avoid confusion over code choice for your Medicare and private payer patients, and to c... Read more
2023 Final Rule News:
Brace Your Practice for 4.5% Cut to 2023 Conversion Factor
But cross your fingers that industry comment will lead to updates. If you were one of th... Read more
Reader Question:
Don’t Miss NGS HIFU Policy Updates
Question: I have heard the NGS has made some recent policy decisions about prostate c... Read more
Reader Question:
Check AMA CPT® 2023 Errata ASAP
Question: I saw that the AMA has released errata for the 2023 code set and one delete... Read more
Reader Question:
Watch for PHE Telehealth Updates
Question: Have there been any official, federal government-led moves to make any of ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Test Your Abscess Procedure Coding Prowess
Question: My urologist performed a procedure and the operative report reads: “After gene... Read more
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