musculoskeletal portion of multisystem exam

[sullivak]

How many "points" or bullets are possible to achieve in the musculoskeletal portion of the General Multisystem exam? I'm only interested in the multisystem exam under 1997 guidelines.
I have my own theory about this, but others have disagreed so please weigh in on this.
Thanks,
Kim

[sullivak]

Here's an example of something from a general multisystem exam document in front of me-

Exam:
M/S: Gait normal. Good range of motion in hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, ankles

How many points would you give for M/S using 1997 general multisystem exam guidelines? I think two, but am not sure.

[purplescarf23]

I find 6 bullet points out of the musculoskeletal section of the 1997 general multi-system exam. The provider indicates hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, ankles in pleural which indicates to me he examined both sides of the body. So in turn that equals 1 bullet point for left upper ext, 1 bullet point for right upper ext, 1 bullet point for left lower ext, 1 bullet for right lower ext, 1 bullet point for spine, and 1 bullet point for examination of gait. Hope that helps.

Kelsey, CPC, CEMC

[sullivak]

Thanks for the response, Kelsey. This is exactly what I am trying to clear up in my muddled mind! It seems unclear to me whether in general multi-system, we can count multiple areas and/or types of exams.
Here, for instance, it would be great if we could give 4 bullets for the assessment of range of motion of the 4 body areas. Does this mean that if the doctor assessed both range of motion and stability of these four different body areas that we could give them 8 bullets?
This is an important question to me because I am seeing a number of docs like this, and it could really beef up their exam level - which is something I am not sure ought to be done. :/
Kim