Billing for Medications, Supplies, and X-rays
DAVID STERN, MD (Practice Velocity) Q. What is the CPT code for Tetracaine Ophthalmic used in an urgent care setting? A. If you are referring to the drops used as part of the treatment in the office, then you should not charge separately for them. They are part of the E/M service. If you are providing a bottle of the solution for a patient to use at home, there are a few practical issues to …
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December 2012
November 2012
Fracture Care, Laceration Kits, Reimbursement for Extended Hours
DAVID STERN, MD (Practice Velocity) Q. When is it appropriate to use fracture codes without manipulation? If a patient comes in with pain in a finger after a fall and an E/M is performed, x-rays are taken to confirm a fracture, the finger is splinted and the patient is referred to an orthopedist, would that treatment constitute billing for initial care? If not, what must we do to be able to bill these? A. CPT …
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October 2012
Tetanus Code Change, Coding Injections and Infusions, Facility and After Hours Codes
DAVID STERN, MD (Practice Velocity) Q. What codes should we use in place of the discontinued 90701 (tetanus vaccines, diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and whole cell pertussis vaccine [DTP], for intramuscular use) and 90718 (tetanus and diphtheria toxoids [Td] absorbed when administered to individuals 7 years or older, for intramuscular use) that were discontinued effective July 1, 2012? A. You should use 90714 (Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids [Td] absorbed, preservative free, for use in individuals 7 …
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September 2012
E/M Coding for Multiple Visits, Contracted Case-rate Billing, Comparing Payor Reimbursement Policies
DAVID STERN, MD (Practice Velocity) Q. We sometimes have patients who require two visits to clear impacted cerumen in their ears. In some cases, this procedure requires a 24-hour regimen to soften the cerumen prior to flushing the ear. How do we bill for the second visit and does it change how we bill if we find a second diagnosis after we clear the cerumen? A. For the second visit, you may code for all …
Read MoreHospital Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Proximity, New vs. Established Patients using E/M Coding, Private Practice Urgent Care Coding
DAVID STERN, MD (Practice Velocity) Q. If a practice buys or opens an urgent care facility that is not in a hospital nor affiliated with a hospital, should we be using routine E/M codes for our visits? Secondly, do we have to follow the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) Guidelines? A. Yes. You should use the same E/M codes as used by the physician offices (990201-99215). EMTALA does not apply to urgent …
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