Wiki Postop Complications during Global Period

[pnepooh]

Pt had a Total Hip Arthroplasty done in October. Pt went to a rehab unit after discharge where he dislocated his hip. Pt was admitted back to the Hospital in November for Revision of the Hip Arthroplasty due to instability of the hip. Can we bill for the Admit H&P done by another physician in our group?

 

[cjhalk@yahoo.com]

No, you should not bill a new H&P. I think for a few reasons.

One: The E&M is still within the global period. Medicare has pretty tight rules on E&M during post op period - none.

Two: The patient was admitted for a revision. So I think that this would be the decision for surgery and the H&P which would be included in the surgery codes and would not be seperatly coded.

I found a couple of articles that might help.

http://rmcinc.org/word/?p=11
http://www.codingcertification.org/medical-billing-and-coding-training-1/

 

[kerferschultz]

I disagree. I code for surgeons. It specifically states that any Complications, exacerbations, recurrence or presence of another disease or injury requiring additional services should be reported separately. See page 62 of your AMA CPT code book- Follow up care for surgical procedures.