Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Spare yourself headaches by heeding 'when performed'addition to fetal shunt code. Jan. 1 is right around the corner, meaning 'tis the season for CPT 2010. You won't have much to master -- just three new codes and some clarifications -- but is that really good news? It's a mixed bag, coders say. While you won't be too hampered learning new codes for 2010, you also won't have some of your lingering coding issues resolved. "I'm disappointed," says Ann Moll, CMOM, CHCO, CHCC, practice administrator for a private ob-gyn practice in Carrolton, Texas. "It's been a long time since CPT broke down codes to allow more descriptive, precise procedures and prevent procedure bundling." Don't fall into the trap of being apathetic. You have to implement a new vaginal graft code, a new code for markers for radiation therapy guidance, adhere to new fetal shunt and fetal invasive procedure clarifications, avoid one major laboratory [...]