Urology Coding Alert
Avoid Comparable DrugCodes
Question: How should I code for the drug neomycin when it is used for bladder irrigation? Should I use a supply code for a comparable drug? UCA Subscriber Answer: When urologists and patients decide to use medicine to treat bladder cancer, bladder irrigation is used to put the medicine in the bladder by way of a syringe attached to a catheter. Neomycin is one of the common irrigating solutions used during this procedure, but unlike many other irrigating solutions, there is no code that specifically represents the supply of this solution. Neomycin is a relatively inexpensive drug and it is not necessarily reimbursable. Some urologists even use the free samples from the pharmaceutical representative, which is not separately billable. However, if you have purchased the drug and are billing for the solution, use the unclassified-drug code, J3490, and indicate the name of the solution used (neomycin) and the dosage. Don't risk using a specific code for what you consider to be a similar drug this probably won't fly in the event of an audit. And don't forget to report the physician's service with the proper irrigating code: 51700* (Bladder irrigation, simple, lavage and/or instillation).
Urology Coding Alert
- Circumvent Denials for Circumcision Claims With Medical Necessity
If you're using diagnosis codes for cosmetic or religiously motivated circumcisions in adult and pediatric [...] - Included or Not Included? That Is the 54640 Question
Urologists commonly perform inguinal orchiopexies and hernia repairs in the same surgical session, but it's [...] - You Be the Coder:
Bridge the Adhesion Terminology Gap
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - News Brief:
2003 Fee Schedule Increases Physician Pay
The fruit of intensive lobbying by physician groups on Capitol Hill took formal shape Feb. [...] - Test Your Modifier Knowledge
Brush up on your modifiers, coders: You are your practice's best line of defense against [...] - Reader Question:
Diagnosis Code Surgery Complications
Question: What are the correct diagnosis codes for a patient who had a spermatocelectomy one [...] - Reader Question:
Dont Avoid Coding Voiding Trials
Question: How should I code a "voiding trial"? UCA Subscriber Answer: You won't find a [...] - Reader Question:
Append -52 to Unsuccessful Stricture Surgery
Question: During a planned ureteroscopy, stone extraction, and possible laser lithotripsy procedure, my urologist found [...] - Reader Question:
Dont Mix -57 and Minor Procedures
Question: We use modifier -57 on separately identifiable E/M services during which the decision for [...] - Confidently Code Bladder Scan Diagnoses
One fundamental concept should drive your bladder scan ICD-9 Coding: Bladder scans are diagnostic tests. [...] - Understand Roles Of Physicians Working Together
Whether performing a joint procedure or assisting with intraoperative complications, don't be surprised when your [...] - Coder to Coder
"There has to be communication, coder-to-coder or biller-to-biller, that modifier -62 is being used to [...] - Use CMS as Your TURB-Coding Measuring Stick
Don't let cloudy CPT Guidelines for bladder lesion removal throw you off. Use the guidelines [...] - Reader Question:
Dont Consider Multiple Tumors Unusual
Question: When we report multiple medium bladder tumors resected in a single surgical session, can [...] - Reader Question:
Stop the Search for an Incision Code
Question: What is the code for a post-prostatectomy bladder neck contracture that was treated by [...] - Reader Question:
Contract 52601 and -22
Question: My urologist performed a urethrotomy prior to a TURP procedure because of a bladder [...] - Reader Question:
Avoid Comparable DrugCodes
Question: How should I code for the drug neomycin when it is used for bladder [...] - Reader Question:
When Appropriate,Unbundle
Question: Is it appropriate to use modifier -59 to break the bundle between 52318 and [...] - Reader Question:
Examine Biopsy Code Definitions
Question: Should I use modifier -51 or modifier -59 to code multiple bladder lesions biopsied [...] - Reader Question:
Use Image to Choose 51798 or 76775
Question: What is the difference between CPT 76775 and CPT 51798? I know [...] - Reader Question:
Re-Examine the Documentation
Question: My urologist performed a cytoscopy with biopsy of a small bladder tumor, a cystoscopy [...] - Orchiopexy and Hernia Repair Coding CheatSheet
- You Be the Coder:
Exclude Bladder Lesion Margins
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...]
