Urology Coding Alert

Question: How should we bill when performing biofeedback during the global period of a surgery when the biofeedback is for a different diagnosis? Medicare denied it saying it was within the global.

Georgia Subscriber

Answer: Biofeedback (90901, Biofeedback training by any modality and 90911, Biofeedback training, perineal muscles, anorectal or urethral sphincter, including EMG and/or manometry) performed during a global period may be denied by a medical carrier even with a different diagnosis. To properly report these procedures, append modifier -79 (Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician during the postoperative period) and use a different diagnosis. 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 Sandy Page, CPC, CCS-P, co-owner, Medical Practice Support Services, Denver; and Michael A. Ferragamo, MD, FACS, clinical assistant professor of urology, State University of New York, Stony Brook.