ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Base your ED's templates on DAST, CAGE tests for alcohol/substance abuse. Use of cessation counseling codes 99406-99409 is rising and payers are starting to reimburse for them, experts say. Get on board with others reporting these codes to add between $11 and $32 for each encounter that meets the guidelines for tobacco or drug/alcohol abuse counseling. Use Template to Focus Exam Elements To report a behavior change intervention code, there must be a -face-to-face interaction by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional, and involve specific validated interventions,- explains Caral Edelberg, CPC, CCS-P, CHC, president of Medical Management Resources for TeamHealth in Jacksonville, Fla. These interventions typically include: assessing readiness for change and barriers to change; advising a change in behavior; assisting by providing specific suggested actions and motivational counseling; and arranging for services and follow-up. You might want to use a template to document the visit and record the [...]