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Gastroenterology Coding Alert

V Codes Can Make or Break Your Claim for Medicare Screening Services
Warning: Leaving off the V code for high-risk patients could cost you If you think V co... Read more
Highlight These 2 CCI 13.3 Hemorrhoid Coding Changes
Find out why you should watch out for 'separate procedures' Does your gastroenterologist... Read more
Follow These 5 Routes to Modifier 22 Claim Success
You're the one who decides if your claim supports extra reimbursement Catch-22: If you'r... Read more
Clip and Save:
Stop Wasting Time Searching for Supervision Definitions
Quick quiz: Is level 1 general or direct supervision? You can finally crack the Medicare... Read more
Reader Question:
Hold Off on FBR Code
Question: My gastroenterologist treated a patient's esophageal varices (456.0) with an E... Read more
Reader Question:
Is This a Consultation? The Answer May Surprise You
Question: A patient we had not previously seen was referred to our office for a sigmoido... Read more
Reader Question:
Master Multiple Techniques During a Colonoscopy
Question: My doctor says that during a colonoscopy a polyp is discovered. He "debulks th... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Discriminate Against Medicare No-Shows
Question: Is there a code to report a missed appointment to Medicare? Delaware Subscribe... Read more
Reader Question:
Use 43219 for Feeding Tube Insertion
Question: The gastroenterologist performed an esophagoscopy and inserted a feeding tube ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Diagnosis Code for Examining Remainder of Colon
Question: A colonoscopy was performed "to examine the remainder of the colon" on a patie... Read more
Lesson All of Your Esophageal Dilation Choices With This Strategy
Here's how to break down methods of dilations into five easy categoriesYour gastroenterolo... Read more
Coding Quiz:
3 Questions Gauge Your Lower GI-Scopy Coding Skills
Surprise: Lower gastro endoscopic procedures aren't limited to colonoscopiesIf you're exam... Read more
Tackle These Myths to Streamline Modifier 59 Claims
Save your claim departments time with theis adviceIf you're still treating modifier 59 as ... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Hold Back Your Discharge Code
Question: My gastroenterologist admitted a patient to the hospital. Later that same day, h... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
How to Bill for Hemorrhoidectomies
Question: A physician performed a flexible sigmoidoscopy on a patient in our office, durin... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Get Your Global Surgical Packages Straight
Question: I'm new to coding, and I hear "global surgical package" a lot. What does it mean... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Figure on These Esophageal Function Test Facts
Question: My gastroenterologist performed an esophageal function test. How should I report... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
New Gastros May Bring Established Patients
Question: We have a new gastro physician starting at our clinic this month. She is coming ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Attack This Acid Reflux Test Scenario
Question: One of our technicians administered a 24-hour acid reflux test (91034) for a pat... Read more
Know How to Report PDT? Our Experts Shed Light on 3 Key Components
Find out why you won't need any modifiers for your light delivery codes When your gastro... Read more
ICD-9 Update:
Get to the Bottom of New Dysphagia, Ascites Codes
New ascites codes may fool you with their location in the manual You won't have tons of ... Read more
Perfect the Finer Points of Your PQRI Documentation
See how other coders make sure their doctors provide the right info Practices are gearin... Read more
Reader Questions:
Cut the Confusion From Nursing Home Consults
Question: Our gastroenterologists recently began performing consultations with nursing ho... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get 43268 and 43269 Straight
Question: Our gastroenterologist performed an ERCP to facilitate obtaining a retrograde c... Read more
Reader Questions:
Solve the Discontinued Colonoscopy Modifier Mystery
Question: I know that when billing a limited colonoscopy to Medicare I should use modifie... Read more
Reader Questions:
Stick to Signs and Symptoms
Question: A primary-care physician (PCP) sent a patient to us for a consultation. The req... Read more
You Be the Coder:
How to Report Botox Injections
Question: My gastroenterologist performed a Botox injection on a patient with achalasia. ... Read more
4 Tip Eliminate the Irritation of Coding Hemorrhoid Removal Procedures
Location matters more than number for all removal methodsIf you're stuck looking for a cod... Read more
Participating in PQRI? Take This Crash Course to Recoup 1.5%
Experts warn that learning modifiers might be the trickiest partIf your gastroenterology p... Read more
Separate Initial Visit, Inpatient E/M Coding With This Advice
Same-day hospital admission may cut the office visit out of the equationCarriers are scrut... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
How to Code pH Testing
Question: What code should I use for pH testing? What if my gastroenterologist leaves the ... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Differentiate Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Question: I'm new to gastroenterology coding, and I'm wondering what the difference is bet... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Ogle 2 Options for EGD With Stricturoplasty Drainage
Question: A patient reported for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (EGD) with stricturop... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
V Code Is Your Answer for Colorectal Cancer Risk
Question: What diagnosis codes should I use for patients at high risk for colorectal cance... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Pay Extra Attention When Coding Ultrasounds
Question: My physician performed an endoscopic ultrasound on a patient to measure the dept... Read more
What You Need to Know to Easily Code Your Endoscopic Ultrasound Claims
See how your coding options shift for EUSs with fine needle aspirations If your gastro... Read more
Focus on ERCP ~ Code ERCPs With Ease Using These 2 Common Scenarios
Here's what to look for in your documentation when choosing S&I code Saying "endoscop... Read more
5 Solutions to Your Frequently Asked ASC Questions
Learn whether to place modifier SG first -- or last If you're a gastroenterology code... Read more
Reader Question ~ Evaluate This EGD, EUS Scenario
Question: My gastroenterologist documented performing an EGD with EUS for a patient who pr... Read more
Reader Question ~ Intercept Humira Injection Errors With This Advice
Question: How should we bill for Humira injections when we do not purchase the medication... Read more
Reader Question ~ Manage Incident-to With Modifiers
Question: How should I code incident-to when our physician is in the office? What modifier... Read more
You Be the Coder ~ Adhere to This Laser Tumor Ablation Advice
Question:  What is laser tumor ablation, and what code should I use for this procedur... Read more
Simplify the Multiple-Endoscope Family Rule With This Expert Advice
Clear up your questions with an oil-change analogyWhen your physician performs several end... Read more
Beat the Brand-Name Soup to Create Perfect GI Dilation Claims
Discover how to code these 4 distinct dilation typesIf you-re staring endlessly at your ph... Read more
Focus on Colonoscopy Screenings:
Think You Don't Need To Know Age, Frequency Regs? Think Again
Find out what age is the magic number for average-risk patientsYou have to know all the ba... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Scan Doctor's Notes to Diagnose Repeat Biopsy
Question: What diagnosis code should I use when the doctor’s notes state that the ... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Handle This Rectal Hemorrhage Coding Issue
Question: When should we use 569.3 and 578.1 for bloody stool?New Hampshire Subscriber Ans... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Educate Yourself With This EGD/Bougle Procedure
Question: Our physician performed an EGD with biopsy before inserting a Maloney bougie dil... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Discontinue Your Modifier 53 Confusion
Question: How can I tell when a procedure should be coded as discontinued? For example, if... Read more
Focus on Dx Coding:
Place These Colonic Polyp ICD-9 Codes at Your Fingertips
Learn to draw the line between non-neoplastic and neoplastic polyps When your gastroenter... Read more
Reel in Remicade Payment by Following 4 Steps
Learn how you can collect for saline infusions as well Insurance carriers will pay for Re... Read more
5 Rules Will Help You Collect for Extra Physician Time
Learn what codes to use both in an inpatient and outpatient setting Reporting prolonged s... Read more
Reader Questions:
Nix Your NEC and NOS Confusion
Question: What do NEC and NOS mean in ICD-9 coding? How should I select between them?Flori... Read more
Reader Questions:
Report Intended Procedure With Modifier 53
Question: Our gastroenterologist attempted a colonoscopy on a patient that was discontinue... Read more
Reader Questions:
Ab Distress Can Signal Diagnostic EGD
Question: I am having trouble recognizing diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies an... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Solve This Office Visit, Hospital Care Dilemma
Question: Following an in-office exam on day one, our urologist sent a patient to the hosp... Read more
Learn the Ins and Outs of Coding Gastro Clips--Their Use Makes All the Difference
Cut out unnecessary steps when reporting endoscopic marking clipsIf your gastroenterologis... Read more
Curb Incomplete Colonoscopy Modifier Mishaps With This Advice
Distinguish incomplete from cancelled procedures -- here's howWhen you-re not charging for... Read more
Dodge Critical Care Mistakes by Avoiding These 2 Myths
Here's what you need to have -- and don't -- when reporting critical careIf you meet two i... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Learn 1 Exception to Fluoro, ERCP Bundles
Question: One of the physicians in our practice performed a diagnostic endoscopic retrogra... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Looking for EUS Codes? Find Them Here
Question: What is EUS, and how should I code for it?Ohio Subscriber Answer: EUS is an abb... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Tackle This Injection and Colonscopy Scenario
Question: During colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist finds a polyp in the cecum. He remove... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
How To Report Smoking Cessation Counseling
Question: We-re not having much success getting paid for smoking cessation counseling when... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Nix Neoplasm Coding Woes
Question: I-m confused about how I should report malignant and benign stomach neoplasms. H... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Gastric Aspiration Calls for 91105
Question: An established patient comes to the office complaining of rectal bleeding. The p... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Can You 'Share' a Consult?
Question: I know that a nonphysician practitioner and a surgeon can -share- an E/M visit, ... Read more
Solve Your Stone Removal, Destruction Coding Dilemmas at Last
You can report both procedures together --  here's howStymied by stone extractio... Read more
Brace Yourself for Bravo Capsule Claims Using This Example
Discover what documentation you need to ensure proper paymentWhen your gastroenterologist ... Read more
Save Time by Learning These Expert Answers to E/M FAQs
Find out if a patient's history form counts toward ROS, PSFHYour gastroenterologist's exce... Read more
Break Down Your Review of Systems Knowledge
Do you know what it takes for ROS to be -complete-?Review this basic information about r... Read more
Reader Questions:
Looking for EUS Codes? Find Them Here
Question: What is EUS and how should I code for it?Ohio SubscriberAnswer: EUS is an abbrev... Read more
Reader Questions:
Ease Into Ileoscopy and EGD Claims
Question: What code should I use for an ileoscopy, and can I bill an EGD separately with t... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Gastro Codes That Includes Modifiers 26 and TC
Question: I-m new to coding, and I-m wondering what gastroenterology codes have the modifi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look for All PEG Components
Question: My gastroenterologist worked with a surgeon, and the note says they placed a per... Read more
Reader Questions:
Watch Out for Double Dilations
Question: Our physician performed an endoscopic PEG tube placement that required some extr... Read more
Reader Questions:
You Can Use 8 ICD-9 Codes
Question: I heard that we could use more than four diagnosis codes on an individual Medica... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Sequence Reflux Exams Right Every Time
Question: A primary-care physician referred a patient with severe heartburn to one of our ... Read more
FOCUS ON GERD ~ Report Motility Study and pH Tests Right Every Time With This Expert Advice
Find out if you need a modifier when reporting these codes together Capture these expert ... Read more
Learn How to Use G0394 -- But Beware, It's Not for Screening
2 situations will allow you to use this new FOBT code You know that CMS deleted screening... Read more
Follow 3 Surefire Criteria for Perfect 99211 Claims
Experts say that if you can report this code, you should Do you think you-re using 99211 ... Read more
YOU ARE THE CODER ~ Injection Therapy With Papillotomy
Question: How should I report an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) wit... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Figure Out Your Formalin Infusion Coding
Question: One of our gastroenterologists recently treated a patient's proctitis and contin... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Rev Up Your ROS Levels
Question: What is meant by the review of systems (ROS) levels?California Subscriber Answe... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Make the Most of Modifier 62
Question: Our office had no idea that we could use modifier 62 (Two surgeons) when coding ... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Stopping GI Bleed Can Mean 2 Codes
Question: Our gastroenterologist performed a colonoscopy during which he removed a polyp u... Read more
Pinpoint Your Polypectomy Codes Properly Using This Expert Advice
Learn what code you-ll always use for cold biopsy forceps If you don't code your gastroen... Read more
Factor in 5 R's for Your 2007 Consults
Discover how you can create a helpful tool for your consult claims Neglecting your consul... Read more
Find Out When You Can Report Foreign-Body Removals
Dislodging FB may not be the same as removal If the gastroenterologist removes any object... Read more
Save Time and Trouble by Using ABN Correctly
Learn the basics of this common document An advance beneficiary notice is a written noti... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ You Can Submit Blood Collection ICD-9 Codes
Question: When the gastroenterologist collects blood samples and sends them to an outside ... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Here's How to Use Modifiers 59, 51
Question: My colleague and I have been debating the proper times to use modifiers 59 and 5... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Patient-Generated Second Opinion Isn't a Consult
Question: I know that CPT deleted the confirmatory consult codes for billing second opinio... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Look to 2 Codes for Sitz Marker Study
Question: What code should I use for Sitz marker study? And what is it?Tennessee Subscribe... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Describe Gastric Tube With 91105
Question: A patient with rectal bleeding presents in the gastroenterologist office. The do... Read more
YOU BE THE CODER ~ Infection Affects Pouchitis Diagnosis
Question:What is the proper diagnosis code for pouchitis, and is there a different code if... Read more
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