General Surgery Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
Learn This Procedure for Unclaimed Funds
Published on Mon Feb 19, 2024
Question: During a review, it came to my attention that our practice inadvertently overcharged a patient. We attempted to rectify this by sending a refund check, but it was returned due to lack of forwarding information, and we’ve had no luck contacting the patient. Is it permissible for us to retain the funds and adjust their balance to zero? AAPC Forum Participant Answer: Most states have guidance for such situations; such money would probably be considered “unclaimed funds” and can be returned to the state and distributed by the state’s entity for that purpose.
Other Articles in this issue of
General Surgery Coding Alert
- Thyroid Coding:
Clear Up Your Thyroid Procedure Coding Confusion
Paying attention to the practitioner’s wording is key to successful claims. When coding thyroid-related procedures, [...] - Modifiers:
Understand How to Apply Assistant at Surgery Modifiers
Hint: Do not report modifiers 80 and AS together. As a coder specializing in general [...] - Practice Management:
Use These 5 Strategies When Adding Valuable Staff to Your Practice
Implementing these techniques during interviews can lead to financial savings. Are you expecting to add [...] - You Be the Coder:
Rely on Lesion Diameter Measurement
Question: A 27-year-old patient who is 40 weeks pregnant presented to the provider to excise a [...] - Reader Questions:
Cut the Fog of Calculating Anesthesia Charges
Question: Could you clarify the process for determining and documenting charges for anesthesia services? When you [...] - Reader Questions:
Learn This Procedure for Unclaimed Funds
Question: During a review, it came to my attention that our practice inadvertently overcharged a patient. [...]
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