Here’s why you may want to wait until the next full visit. With the influx of so many new coders, brushing up on the basics of when to start the global obstetric package could help you avoid denials. The next [...]
Hint: You should wait until the next full visit in most circumstances. So your ob-gyn discovers a patient is pregnant during her annual visit. Do you know what to do? The answer depends on the method the ob-gyn used, but [...]
Question: On page 30 in the “Validate This Repeat Pap Plus UTI Scenario” (Ob-Gyn Coding Alert issue April 2016, Vol. 19, No 4), you answered that the diagnosis for the repeat Pap smear should be Z12.4. I am wondering why it [...]
Note the pre-op clearance is different from an H&P. Many providers, both primary care and specialists alike, get requests from other providers asking them to clear a patient for surgery. If your physician performs this type of service, be careful [...]
Question: A patient came to our office with a chief complaint of hearing loss. Her examination and hearing test had normal results. What diagnosis should we assign? Colorado Subscriber Answer: The most appropriate option depends on the circumstances and your provider’s documentation. [...]
Question: What diagnosis code would I use if the patient is requesting labs for work? Virginia Subscriber Answer: For claims prior to October 1, you could go with V72.62 (Laboratory examination ordered as part of a routine general medical examination), V72.69 (Other [...]
Question: A patient came to us after failing a hearing screen, but she passed our in- office test. What diagnosis code do we submit? Maryland Subscriber Answer: You should report V72.11 (Encounter for hearing examination following failed hearing screening). Use this code [...]
Question: A patient recently visited us and enquired about the mandated spirometry tests required for a new insulin inhalation treatment. How should we report these tests? Washington Subscriber Answer: There is indeed an inhaled insulin now available by prescription, a new medication [...]
Consider collecting from the patient when you can’t bill the payer. Summer and early fall are peak times for practices to receive calls from patients about getting physicals for camp, sports, or school, but if you don’t know how to [...]
Question: Our practice in in a heated discussion about an issue and we can’t come to an agreement. Our physician performed an annual physical and is planning to report a well-child code for it. In addition, he is going to [...]
