General Surgery Coding Alert
CMS Makes It Easier (and Cheaper) to Get NCCI
In the past, CMS has made the NCCI edits available as a paid subscription only (by way of the National Technical Information Service). "But now," a CMS press release states, the edits "are available to anyone with a personal computer."
CMS has listed the edits in a spreadsheet format. You can sort edits by code number or by effective date, and the Web page includes a "find" feature to make locating a specific code easier. The on-line database also provides access to both the "comprehensive/component" and "mutually exclusive" code pair edits.
To view the online NCCI edits, go to the Web site http://cms.hhs.gov/physicians/cciedits/default.asp. The same Web page also includes links to documents that explain the edits, including the NCCI Policy Manual for Part B Medicare Carriers, the Medicare Carriers Manual, and an NCCI Question-and-Answer page.
General Surgery Coding Alert
- Have Skin Grafts Got You Guessing?
Use our 4-step method to select the right code What's your method for choosing among [...] - You Be the Coder:
Control of Bleeding With Surgical Procedures
Question: When can we report the control of bleeding separately, such as during colonoscopy?
Florida Subscriber [...] - Avoid OIG Scrutiny
Shore up diagnostic test, modifier -59 claims in 2004 What could be more frustrating than [...] - Correction:
Full- Versus Split-Thickness Graft
An example in the December 2003 General Surgery Coding Alert ("Are You Reporting 16000-16003 for [...] - Get the Scoop on CPT's New Catheter/Line Placement Codes
General surgery coders, rejoice: For 2004, CPT completely revamps the catheter and line placement access [...] - No Stars to Guide You in 2004? Here's What to Do
You may need to change the way you report starred procedures to private payers beginning [...] - Less Biopsy Confusion in 2004
Bill separately only if it's a different lesion or different site For 2004, CPT has [...] - News You Can Use:
CMS Makes It Easier (and Cheaper) to Get NCCI
Tired of shelling out hundreds of dollars a year to stay current on the National [...] - Reader Question:
Observe Fascial Layer for Superficial Versus Deep
Question: How can I distinguish between superficial (38500) and deep (38525) lymph node biopsy?
Virginia Subscriber [...] - Reader Question:
Choose 76000 for Catheter Placement
Question: What is the correct fluoroscopy code for catheter placement - 76000 or 76003?
Illinois [...] - Reader Question:
Reason for Stopping Differentiates -52 and -53
Question: If one of our surgeons stops in the middle of diagnostic testing, or even [...]
