Advanced Search

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Reader Questions:

Max Out Payoff By Remembering All FAST Exam Components

Published on Thu May 19, 2011

Question: A driver who was in a motor vehicle collision (MVC) arrives at the ED via ambulance with blunt trauma to his chest and abdomen from the seat belt and airbag; the patient is complaining of pain in his chest and severe abdominal pain due to the contusions. The physician performs a comprehensive history and examination and high complexity medical decision making. She then performs a focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) exam and an electrocardiogram (ECG). Final diagnosis is "Contusions, chest/trunk." All of these services occurred on the same calendar date. What is the proper coding for this scenario?Montana SubscriberAnswer: To keep this from getting too confusing, we'll list the procedure codes for this claim, and then list the ICD-9 codes separately. For this claim, you'll want to report the following CPT® codes:93308 (Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation [2D] includes M-mode recording, when performed, follow-up or limited [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

View All