Go Back   AAPC Medical Coding & Billing Forums > Medical Coding > General Surgery

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 11-14-2008, 02:19 PM
Arlene Arlene is offline
Contributor
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 16
Arlene is on a distinguished road
Angry problem with Unitedhealth care paying

I have been billing Unitedhealth care for over 2 yrs for a procedure my doctor performed. He consulted the patient, then took her to surgery for an ruptured appendix. While in the area, he did a drainage of ovarian cyst. I coded this 99254-57
44960
58805-59
Unitedhealth paid for consult and drainage, but state the appy was coded wrong. I have sent this in several times with op report and medical records and they still say wrong coding. The surgical assist, who is employed by doctor, received payment for both procedures w/80 modifier- no questions. But Dr's charges are billed wrong.

Can anyone HELP- I am getting very upset about this and getting the run around. I have spoke to 8 different people since Aug 2008 along- not telling how many before that time.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-14-2008, 02:30 PM
mbort's Avatar
mbort mbort is offline
True Blue
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: ENGLEWOOD/DENVER
Posts: 2,332
mbort is on a distinguished road
Default

find out who your provider rep is and go to them.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-14-2008, 02:39 PM
Arlene Arlene is offline
Contributor
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 16
Arlene is on a distinguished road
Default

Since this has occurred, I now live in NC and Dr in IL and is retired.
The rep we had prev- was NO help
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-14-2008, 02:46 PM
mbort's Avatar
mbort mbort is offline
True Blue
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: ENGLEWOOD/DENVER
Posts: 2,332
mbort is on a distinguished road
Default

I no longer do appeals and such so I no longer have my contacts, but I do know that UHC has a 2nd Level Tier...I'm sure if you've spoke with 8 people already you have probably already reached that level, but they were always helpful.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-14-2008, 02:49 PM
RebeccaWoodward*'s Avatar
RebeccaWoodward* RebeccaWoodward* is offline
True Blue
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,095
RebeccaWoodward* will become famous soon enough
Default

UHC has done the same thing to us time and time again.If provider relations aren't helpful, you do have other alternatives. I haven't had to do this often but I have filed a grievance with the Insurance Commissioner and payment was eventually collected. Another CPC that I know states that UHC has created their own medical condition:

Neuro-opticrectosis: The optical and rectal nerves become intertwined and you get a dirty, smelly outlook on life.

Little humor for a Friday afternoon...
__________________
Rebecca CPC, CPMA, CEMC




Your click COUNTS...

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/c...faces?siteId=2

CLICK to give FREE mammograms!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-14-2008, 03:44 PM
FTessaBartels FTessaBartels is offline
True Blue
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Milwaukee WI
Posts: 4,336
FTessaBartels is on a distinguished road
Default CPT says Mod 52

CPT 2008 professional edition Pg 204, under 44950 (yes, I know, you are billing 44960) there's a parenthetical remark that tells you to use mod 52.

Or ... UHC may want you to code 44955 as the add-on to the drainage (I know this doesn't make sense because the reason you opened the patient was the ruptured appy and not the ovarian cyst... but I'm trying to think like UHC ... and I'm getting a headache ... Becca ... what's the ICD9 for Neuro-Optirectosis?

So UHC may prefer to see
99254-57
58805
44960-52,59

-OR-

99254-57
58805
+44955


F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CPC-E/M
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-15-2008, 12:01 PM
RebeccaWoodward*'s Avatar
RebeccaWoodward* RebeccaWoodward* is offline
True Blue
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,095
RebeccaWoodward* will become famous soon enough
Default

Tessa....

Too Funny...Like anything else in the world of UHC, it's a guessing game and make believe.
__________________
Rebecca CPC, CPMA, CEMC




Your click COUNTS...

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/c...faces?siteId=2

CLICK to give FREE mammograms!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off




Disclaimer: Although AAPC staff members will monitor these forums periodically, we cannot be responsible for the information posted herein, nor guarantee its accuracy. Our members may discuss various subjects related to medical coding, but none of the information should replace the independent judgment of a physician for any given health issue. Please note that the opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of AAPC.

All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:41 PM.

AAPC - Top

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2011, AAPCAd Management plugin by RedTyger