You Be the Coder:
Catheterization Instruction
Published on Mon Apr 01, 2002
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Question: Which code is for a nurse teaching self-catheterizations in the office?
Arizona Subscriber
|
Answer: In the office, a nurse teaching a patient self-catheterization can only use 99211 (Office or other outpatient visit for the E/M of an established patient, that may not require the presence of a physician. Usually, the presenting problem[s] are minimal. Typically, five minutes are spent performing or supervising these services), no matter how much time is involved. This is billed as an incident to service. If the instruction is given by a physician, bill according to the time spent, using an E/M code (99212-99215).
If, during the instruction by the nurse, the nurse performs a catheterization, do not bill 99211, but bill the higher-paying 53670* (Catheterization, urethra; simple) instead. Again, this must be done on an incident to basis, with the physician in the office. | |
