General Surgery Coding Alert
General Coding:
Understand When to Append Modifier 62
Question: I'm new to coding. When is it appropriate to append modifier 62? RCI Subsc... Read more
Understand When to Append Modifier 62
Question: I'm new to coding. When is it appropriate to append modifier 62? RCI Subsc... Read more
General Coding:
Look to G0317 for Nursing Facility Prolonged Service Codes
Hint: Time spent on services the day before and after the visit may count. Sometimes seei... Read more
Look to G0317 for Nursing Facility Prolonged Service Codes
Hint: Time spent on services the day before and after the visit may count. Sometimes seei... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Get Answers to Trach Coding FAQs
Know what separates tracheotomies and tracheostomies. Tracheotomies and tracheostomies ar... Read more
Get Answers to Trach Coding FAQs
Know what separates tracheotomies and tracheostomies. Tracheotomies and tracheostomies ar... Read more
General Coding:
Stay in Your Lane, Modifiers
Question: I'm new to medical coding and still don't fully understand the role of modifiers... Read more
Stay in Your Lane, Modifiers
Question: I'm new to medical coding and still don't fully understand the role of modifiers... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Skip the Breast Biopsy Codes for an Axillary Lymph Node Biopsy
Question: A patient presented for a superficial axillary lymph node core needle biopsy. Th... Read more
Skip the Breast Biopsy Codes for an Axillary Lymph Node Biopsy
Question: A patient presented for a superficial axillary lymph node core needle biopsy. Th... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Break Down the Differences Between ‘Excision’ and ‘Destruction’
Question: I have an operative note that states the surgeon “removed” a 1.6 cm basal ce... Read more
Break Down the Differences Between ‘Excision’ and ‘Destruction’
Question: I have an operative note that states the surgeon “removed” a 1.6 cm basal ce... Read more
General Coding:
Differentiate Modifiers GC, GE for Teaching Physician Services
Hint: Mastering the primary care exception rule helps open reimbursement doors. When your... Read more
Differentiate Modifiers GC, GE for Teaching Physician Services
Hint: Mastering the primary care exception rule helps open reimbursement doors. When your... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Figure Out This Fissurectomy Frustration
Question: When I attempt to bill a claim for CPT® codes 46505 and 46200 together, one of ... Read more
Figure Out This Fissurectomy Frustration
Question: When I attempt to bill a claim for CPT® codes 46505 and 46200 together, one of ... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Code This Breast Cystectomy Case
Question: I need help coding the following procedure notes: A medial periareolar incision... Read more
Code This Breast Cystectomy Case
Question: I need help coding the following procedure notes: A medial periareolar incision... Read more
General Coding:
Use These Tips for Finding Information on Payer Policies
Question: Patients in my practice are covered by a few different insurance carriers, and o... Read more
Use These Tips for Finding Information on Payer Policies
Question: Patients in my practice are covered by a few different insurance carriers, and o... Read more
General Coding:
Be Specific, Not Leading, in Query
Question: In a recent encounter, a provider documented that a patient had a patient-health... Read more
Be Specific, Not Leading, in Query
Question: In a recent encounter, a provider documented that a patient had a patient-health... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Review 2 Cases to Polish Your Pressure Ulcer Coding Skills
Coding the 6th character is a must. When your general surgeon treats a patient with a pre... Read more
Review 2 Cases to Polish Your Pressure Ulcer Coding Skills
Coding the 6th character is a must. When your general surgeon treats a patient with a pre... Read more
General Coding:
Know These Billing Categories
Question: What's the difference between self-pay, insured, and institutional billing? Kan... Read more
Know These Billing Categories
Question: What's the difference between self-pay, insured, and institutional billing? Kan... Read more
General Coding:
Find Clarity on RVU Designation
Question: I'm trying to figure out reimbursement for my provider, who's a specialist. What... Read more
Find Clarity on RVU Designation
Question: I'm trying to figure out reimbursement for my provider, who's a specialist. What... Read more
General Coding:
Incorporate These Responsibilities Into the CDI Job Description
Fully utilize the specialized knowledge of your CDI specialist with these tips. Having a ... Read more
Incorporate These Responsibilities Into the CDI Job Description
Fully utilize the specialized knowledge of your CDI specialist with these tips. Having a ... Read more
General Surgery:
Pay Attention to Measurement Units for Adjacent Tissue Transfers
Question: What measurements are used when determining the size of the adjacent tissue tran... Read more
Pay Attention to Measurement Units for Adjacent Tissue Transfers
Question: What measurements are used when determining the size of the adjacent tissue tran... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Don’t Use Lesion Excision Codes for Skin Tag Removals
Question: A patient presented with 20 skin tags on multiple areas of the body. The provide... Read more
Don’t Use Lesion Excision Codes for Skin Tag Removals
Question: A patient presented with 20 skin tags on multiple areas of the body. The provide... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Pin Down Panniculectomy and Abdominoplasty Coding
Learn exclusions to Medicare's cosmetic surgery rules. Patients who undergo significant w... Read more
Pin Down Panniculectomy and Abdominoplasty Coding
Learn exclusions to Medicare's cosmetic surgery rules. Patients who undergo significant w... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Purpose of Fat Transfer Determines Proper Code Choice
Question: Our general surgeon performed a revision of a reconstructed breast. The surgeon ... Read more
Purpose of Fat Transfer Determines Proper Code Choice
Question: Our general surgeon performed a revision of a reconstructed breast. The surgeon ... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Identify Site for Hernia Repair With Gallbladder Removal
Question: The surgeon performed a laparoscopic gallbladder removal for a 42-year-old ... Read more
Identify Site for Hernia Repair With Gallbladder Removal
Question: The surgeon performed a laparoscopic gallbladder removal for a 42-year-old ... Read more
General Coding:
Use PA-Specific Modifier to Report Their Services
Question: A physician assistant (PA) assisted one of our surgeons during a surgery. The pr... Read more
Use PA-Specific Modifier to Report Their Services
Question: A physician assistant (PA) assisted one of our surgeons during a surgery. The pr... Read more
General Coding:
Navigate New Era of Coding With This Foundation
Hint: Documentation may matter more than ever. While the future of coding may seem scary ... Read more
Navigate New Era of Coding With This Foundation
Hint: Documentation may matter more than ever. While the future of coding may seem scary ... Read more
General Coding:
Look to Status to Determine POS
Question: One of our providers is a surgeon who sometimes gets called to the hospital or e... Read more
Look to Status to Determine POS
Question: One of our providers is a surgeon who sometimes gets called to the hospital or e... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Test Your Knowledge of Colorectal Procedure Coding
Query the provider before choosing an unspecified code. It's essential to thoroughly exam... Read more
Test Your Knowledge of Colorectal Procedure Coding
Query the provider before choosing an unspecified code. It's essential to thoroughly exam... Read more
General Coding:
Don’t Bill Transfer of Care Within the Same Global Group
Question: I work for a group of surgeons. I have a patient who underwent a surgery with on... Read more
Don’t Bill Transfer of Care Within the Same Global Group
Question: I work for a group of surgeons. I have a patient who underwent a surgery with on... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Code Cholecystectomy Surgeries With Confidence
Pay attention to NCCI edits before reporting additional procedures. In the U.S., approxim... Read more
Code Cholecystectomy Surgeries With Confidence
Pay attention to NCCI edits before reporting additional procedures. In the U.S., approxim... Read more
General Coding:
Inject These New Codes Into Your Coding Arsenal
Question: Are there any new HCPCS injection codes I should be aware of? I feel like an upd... Read more
Inject These New Codes Into Your Coding Arsenal
Question: Are there any new HCPCS injection codes I should be aware of? I feel like an upd... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Does a Cyst Removal Require an Excision or I&D Code?
Question: I'm having difficulty determining if the following surgical documentation suppor... Read more
Does a Cyst Removal Require an Excision or I&D Code?
Question: I'm having difficulty determining if the following surgical documentation suppor... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Understand Which Tissues Need to Be Debrided for 11043/+11046
Question: I have documentation for a surgical debridement where the surgeon removed devita... Read more
Understand Which Tissues Need to Be Debrided for 11043/+11046
Question: I have documentation for a surgical debridement where the surgeon removed devita... Read more
General Coding:
Structure Your Denial Management Program for Success
Adopting this approach will boost your office's financial performance. By following the s... Read more
Structure Your Denial Management Program for Success
Adopting this approach will boost your office's financial performance. By following the s... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Free Up This Blocked Artery Procedure
Question: The surgeon treated a patient with a near-complete blockage of the right ca... Read more
Free Up This Blocked Artery Procedure
Question: The surgeon treated a patient with a near-complete blockage of the right ca... Read more
General Coding:
Define OR for Successful Modifier 78 Use
Question: I work for a surgery practice, and I've been using modifier 78 when patients ret... Read more
Define OR for Successful Modifier 78 Use
Question: I work for a surgery practice, and I've been using modifier 78 when patients ret... Read more
General Coding:
Try These Alternatives for the ‘Overused’ Modifier 59
Find out how and why to use this modifier the right way every time. Modifier 59 (Distinct... Read more
Try These Alternatives for the ‘Overused’ Modifier 59
Find out how and why to use this modifier the right way every time. Modifier 59 (Distinct... Read more
General Coding:
Rely on Online Sources to Stay On Top of Updates
Question: I use physical coding books, but have had a few mishaps where a code was updated... Read more
Rely on Online Sources to Stay On Top of Updates
Question: I use physical coding books, but have had a few mishaps where a code was updated... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Nip Lumpectomy Denials With a Z Code
Question: The surgeon performed a breast lumpectomy, but it seems like the only ICD-1... Read more
Nip Lumpectomy Denials With a Z Code
Question: The surgeon performed a breast lumpectomy, but it seems like the only ICD-1... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Dissect the Details of Operative Reports
Highlighting procedures from the notes will help you code as you go. Tyler Griffeth's, MO... Read more
Dissect the Details of Operative Reports
Highlighting procedures from the notes will help you code as you go. Tyler Griffeth's, MO... Read more
General Coding:
Stress Less About This New Patient Scenario
Question: Can a stress test and a new physical therapy office visit be billed together? A... Read more
Stress Less About This New Patient Scenario
Question: Can a stress test and a new physical therapy office visit be billed together? A... Read more
General Coding:
Clarify These Coding Components
Question: How do I look at a code and know if it can be billed with both a professional an... Read more
Clarify These Coding Components
Question: How do I look at a code and know if it can be billed with both a professional an... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Add G89.18 to Your Surgical Claims for Post-Op Pain Management
Question: I code surgical procedures for an outpatient facility. I have an operative note&... Read more
Add G89.18 to Your Surgical Claims for Post-Op Pain Management
Question: I code surgical procedures for an outpatient facility. I have an operative note&... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Report a Surgical Wound Exam During a High BP Follow-Up
Question: I have a report from a follow-up encounter between a patient and their primary c... Read more
Report a Surgical Wound Exam During a High BP Follow-Up
Question: I have a report from a follow-up encounter between a patient and their primary c... Read more
General Coding:
Fine Tune Your Timely Filing Skills
Knowing the deadlines for each payer is key to success. Timely filing refers to the submi... Read more
Fine Tune Your Timely Filing Skills
Knowing the deadlines for each payer is key to success. Timely filing refers to the submi... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Examine These 5 Skin Biopsy Myths
Learn how to bill multiple biopsies with different techniques. Skin biopsies are simple p... Read more
Examine These 5 Skin Biopsy Myths
Learn how to bill multiple biopsies with different techniques. Skin biopsies are simple p... Read more
General Coding:
Sleuth Your Way to Air-Tight Appeals Success — Part 1
Do you know what EOB remark codes are? Every medical practice has faced a claim denial, c... Read more
Sleuth Your Way to Air-Tight Appeals Success — Part 1
Do you know what EOB remark codes are? Every medical practice has faced a claim denial, c... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Focus on Total Lesions Rather Than Laterality for Breast Biopsy Reporting
Question: I have a report that lists the procedure as percutaneous biopsies of lesions of ... Read more
Focus on Total Lesions Rather Than Laterality for Breast Biopsy Reporting
Question: I have a report that lists the procedure as percutaneous biopsies of lesions of ... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Does 25260 Include Exploration and Closure?
Question: A patient presented with a right forearm laceration. The surgeon extended the la... Read more
Does 25260 Include Exploration and Closure?
Question: A patient presented with a right forearm laceration. The surgeon extended the la... Read more
General Coding:
Report State-Supplied Vaccines With This Modifier
Question: Our practice regularly administers vaccines, which are supplied by the state. Do... Read more
Report State-Supplied Vaccines With This Modifier
Question: Our practice regularly administers vaccines, which are supplied by the state. Do... Read more
General Coding:
Know Differences Between Workers’ Comp Types
Question: A patient has come to our practice for an injury sustained during their work as ... Read more
Know Differences Between Workers’ Comp Types
Question: A patient has come to our practice for an injury sustained during their work as ... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Cut the Guesswork From This Gastrostomy Tubing Case
Question: Our surgeon performed a percutaneous replacement of a gastrostomy tube. Dur... Read more
Cut the Guesswork From This Gastrostomy Tubing Case
Question: Our surgeon performed a percutaneous replacement of a gastrostomy tube. Dur... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Solve This Pilonidal Cyst Scenario
Question: Hello, I need help finding the procedure code for a pilonidal cyst debridement. ... Read more
Solve This Pilonidal Cyst Scenario
Question: Hello, I need help finding the procedure code for a pilonidal cyst debridement. ... Read more
General Coding:
Find Information on CPT®, HCPCS Code Updates
A new quarter and a new year are approaching, and that means code sets are being updated. ... Read more
Find Information on CPT®, HCPCS Code Updates
A new quarter and a new year are approaching, and that means code sets are being updated. ... Read more
General Coding:
Count on Pathology Report for Correct Lesion Excision
Question: I'm coding a lesion removal. The provider submitted part of the lesion to pathol... Read more
Count on Pathology Report for Correct Lesion Excision
Question: I'm coding a lesion removal. The provider submitted part of the lesion to pathol... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Get the Answers to 4 FAQs on Hernia Repair
Hint: The reason for the mesh removal determines the code. Hernia repairs are a frequent ... Read more
Get the Answers to 4 FAQs on Hernia Repair
Hint: The reason for the mesh removal determines the code. Hernia repairs are a frequent ... Read more
General Coding:
Understand Laterality Modifiers
Question: I'm new to coding and am having trouble understanding when to use modifiers that... Read more
Understand Laterality Modifiers
Question: I'm new to coding and am having trouble understanding when to use modifiers that... Read more
General Coding:
Use These Tips to Lock Up Your Appeal
Here's Part 2 in a series on filing appeals successfully. In August, we reviewed the step... Read more
Use These Tips to Lock Up Your Appeal
Here's Part 2 in a series on filing appeals successfully. In August, we reviewed the step... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Code This Colon Resection Case
Question: Our surgeon performed a laparoscopic low anterior resection for diverticulitis. ... Read more
Code This Colon Resection Case
Question: Our surgeon performed a laparoscopic low anterior resection for diverticulitis. ... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Fix This Ulcer Debridement Claim
Question: We submitted a claim for a wound debridement that was denied. The provider docum... Read more
Fix This Ulcer Debridement Claim
Question: We submitted a claim for a wound debridement that was denied. The provider docum... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Identify Specific Mastectomy Type for Simpler Coding
Hint: Look to the C50.- series for most diagnoses. While mastectomy coding may be relativ... Read more
Identify Specific Mastectomy Type for Simpler Coding
Hint: Look to the C50.- series for most diagnoses. While mastectomy coding may be relativ... Read more
General Coding:
Don’t Use 99050 When Your Schedule Runs Late
Question: One of the providers stayed after hours to observe a patient who received a dose... Read more
Don’t Use 99050 When Your Schedule Runs Late
Question: One of the providers stayed after hours to observe a patient who received a dose... Read more
General Coding:
Rely On 54 for This Out-of-Town Surgery
Question: I live in a region famous for mountain biking, and a provider in my practice saw... Read more
Rely On 54 for This Out-of-Town Surgery
Question: I live in a region famous for mountain biking, and a provider in my practice saw... Read more
General Coding:
Use These Tips When Coding a Problem During a Well Visit
Question: A 48-year-old patient presents to their gynecologist for an annual preventive se... Read more
Use These Tips When Coding a Problem During a Well Visit
Question: A 48-year-old patient presents to their gynecologist for an annual preventive se... Read more
General Coding:
Use These Resources for Educational Conversations
Question: I'm an auditor who works with both coders and providers who want to do things co... Read more
Use These Resources for Educational Conversations
Question: I'm an auditor who works with both coders and providers who want to do things co... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Remove Any Confusion With Answers to These 5 Debridement FAQs
Do burn debridement procedures have their own codes? Removing unhealthy or dead tissue fr... Read more
Remove Any Confusion With Answers to These 5 Debridement FAQs
Do burn debridement procedures have their own codes? Removing unhealthy or dead tissue fr... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Learn How to Code Intraoperative Complications Correctly
Question: I have an operative note that states the patient suffered an intraoperative comp... Read more
Learn How to Code Intraoperative Complications Correctly
Question: I have an operative note that states the patient suffered an intraoperative comp... Read more
General Surgery Coding:
Is 97597 Appropriate for Selective Mechanical Debridement?
Question: Physician's op note states “Mechanical debridement of biofilm to the level of ... Read more
Is 97597 Appropriate for Selective Mechanical Debridement?
Question: Physician's op note states “Mechanical debridement of biofilm to the level of ... Read more
General Coding:
Find Clarity in Wound Care Coding
Here's what you need to know regarding diagnosis documentation and reporting for wound car... Read more
Find Clarity in Wound Care Coding
Here's what you need to know regarding diagnosis documentation and reporting for wound car... Read more
General Coding:
Appeal Insurance Denials and Get the Reimbursement You Deserve
Question: As a medical coder working in a neurosurgical practice, I often encounter freque... Read more
Appeal Insurance Denials and Get the Reimbursement You Deserve
Question: As a medical coder working in a neurosurgical practice, I often encounter freque... Read more