Wiki post-op consult

[jan g]

Just need some reassuring that I am thinking right!!
Patient had initial consult followed later with a breast biopsy, 19125 which has a 90 day global; path comes back as breast cancer. Patient comes back for post-op and doctor documents that he spends 1 1/2 hrs with patient and husband discussing this diagnosis and management. This is still a 99024 right?
Thanks for any help.

Jan

 

[cjhalk@yahoo.com]

Yes, you are correct. If it helps, you can think of it this way. The biopsy was going to either show cancer or it wasn't. There isn't a rule that says 99024 is only reported if there is no cancer. Giving the test results are just part of the deal.

 

[mhstrauss]

My opinion is that the visit after the biopsy, in which there was a very detailed discussion of prognosis, treatment options, etc, would not be included in the global period (see page 3-4 in the link below). The post-op period is intended to cover treatment and monitoring of the surgery site itself...post-op pain management, making sure the incision is healing properly, etc. The post-op period does not include management of the underlying illness or disease beyond the typical recovery from surgery.

http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Edu...oducts/downloads/GloballSurgery-ICN907166.pdf

Hope this helps!