Urology Coding Alert

Question: After a kidney transplant, can the urologist bill for immunosuppression during the global period since technically this is what the patient is now being treated for versus renal failure?

Missouri Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you can bill for the immunosuppressant visits if you have clear documentation. The documentation/visit note must be specific to the immunosuppressant per the Medicare guidelines for transplant visits in the global period.

Append modifier 24 (Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during a postoperative period) and include diagnoses Z51.81 (Encounter for therapeutic drug level monitoring), Z48.22 (Encounter for aftercare following kidney transplant), and Z94.0 (Kidney transplant status).