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This Ask and Learn session is aimed towards building and reinforcing core knowledge of surgical coding and guidance for advanced topics. Topics like NCCI Edits, the NCCI manual, modifiers, surgical field, indented codes, assistants-at-surgery vs co-surgeons, bundling, surgery audits, queries, NCD’s, LCD’s and other official guidance. Note: During this Ask and Learn, it is preferable to avoid questions about the specific codes for specific cases, but to phrase the questioning around the dilemma at hand as a way to build an understanding of how to solve the problem in future situations.

You'll have these questions answered plus many more! Come to the live webinar with your questions for the panelists

• When a surgeon performs an unplanned, additional procedure through the same incision to manage a localized complication (such as extensive lysis of adhesions or a minor repair of a surrounding structure), how do you determine if the additional work meets the 'significant and separately identifiable' threshold for Modifier 22 or Modifier 59, versus being considered an inherent part of the primary surgical package?
• How do I communicate with a difficult provider?
• If a procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edit exists for two surgical codes with a Modifier Indicator of '1', but the clinical documentation shows both procedures were performed on the same organ through the same approach at the same session, is it ever appropriate to 'unbundle' them? If so, what specific documentation elements must be present to survive a retrospective audit?
• What element must be documented when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons during a surgical procedure?
• What are the differences between AMA (CPT) and CMS global surgery package guidelines?

Why is this topic important?

Surgical Coding guidelines are majorly misunderstood whether you are a new coder or an experienced coder. This is a session aimed at providing direction for how to find answers to avoid audits, financial delay, to mitigate risk and ensure compliance.

Who would benefit from this topic?

Everyone involved in the revenue cycle that involve surgical cases. Compliance officers, auditors, production coders, schedulers, billing staff and office administrators need to understand the complexities of surgical coding in order to maintain a steady revenue cycle flow.

Moderator

- John Piaskowski, CPC, CIRCC, CPMA, CRC, CCC, CCVTC, CGIC, CGSC, COSC, CUC, Approved-Instructor

Panelists

- Cristin Robinson, CPC, CPMA, CRC, CCC, CEMC, Approved-Instructor
- Kellie Nienajadly, CPC, CANPC, CASCC
- Kimberly Jolivette-Williams, CPCO, CPCCPB, CPMA, CANPC, CCC, CEMC
- Mary Vivian-Leidy, COC, CPC, CDEI, CIC, CRC, CGSC, Approved-Instructor

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