Urology Coding Alert

Question: If my urologist performs biofeedback during a patient's postoperative period, do I need a modifier to get reimbursed, or is biofeedback considered a unique service? Connecticut Subscriber Answer: Coders may encounter denials for claims for biofeedback performed during a global period even when a different diagnosis has been applied to the postoperative biofeedback service.

To circumvent potential denials, you need to append modifier -79 (Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period) to the appropriate biofeedback code and use a different diagnosis code for the biofeedback than for the previous service. You may use modifier -79 with 10040-69990 and 70010-79999. If appropriate and not limited by the payer, 90281-99199 may also be appended with modifier -79. Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions contributed by Michael A. Ferragamo, MD, FACS, clinical assistant professor of urology, State University of New York, Stony Brook; and Morgan Hause, CCS, CCS-P, privacy and compliance officer for Urology of Indiana LLC, a 19-urologist practice in Indianapolis.