You Be the Coder: AIDS

Question: An AIDS patient came into our office for a follow-up visit relating to his severe nosebleed. There was nasal packing in place from his trip to the emergency room, and his left eye was irritated. The doctor examined him and instructed the nurse to remove the packing, perform all appropriate care and release the patient. We coded this as AIDS (042) and a limited physician office visit (99212). Did we code this properly?

Vermont Subscriber

Answer: The codes you have chosen are correct. But your patient charges and bill could have included procedure codes 99212 (established patient office visit, limited), 99000 (specimen handling), 97.32 (removal of nasal packing), 96.53 (irrigation of nasal passages) and 96.51 (irrigation of eye).

Diagnosis codes that could have been included are 042 (human immunodeficiency virus, symptomatic), V08 (AIDS infection) and V61.0 (disturbance of family). In addition, the supply code J7040 (sterile saline, 0.9 % 500 cc) may have been appropriate.

Remember, youre doing your office a disservice if you code too generally and dont include all specific codes that could optimize reimbursement.

Source of You Be the Coder: Dianna Hofbeck, RN, CCM, president of North Shore Medical Inc., a specialty medical billing service in Absecon, N.J.

- Published on 2000-07-01