Orthopedic Coding Alert
Use This Elbow Surgery Benchmarking Data as Your Guide When Comparing Fasciotomy Usage
Medicare data reveals the most frequently reported elbow surgery codes Tally up your practice's elbow surgery code usage and then compare it to national Medicare data for orthopedists, which we-ve compiled for you, based on CMS utilization data for 2003. 24350 Fasciotomy, lateral or medial (e.g., tennis elbow or epicondylitis) 22%
The following information represents code utilization reported to Medicare for elbow fasciotomy procedures.
Code Descriptor Percentage in Fasciotomy Category
24351 - with extensor origin detachment 20%
24352 - with annular ligament resection 3%
24354 - with stripping 3%
24356 - with partial ostectomy 51%
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- 3 Strategies Help You Code Bone Biopsy Procedures Correctly
You may be able to report both lesion biopsy and excision If your insurer's policy [...] - 2 Sites, 2 Line Items:
Know the Lower-Extremity MRI Rules
Make the most of modifiers for leg-joint imaging reports Even if you-re familiar with coding [...] - You Be the Coder:
Do ACE Bandages Qualify as Strapping?
Question: A patient sprained his thumb MP joint while playing youth football. The orthopedist asked [...] - Say Goodbye to Confirmatory Consult Codes in 2006
CPT will revamp consult coding next year You can forget the rules you learned about [...] - ICD-9 Reminder:
Start Using Your New Diagnosis Codes on Oct. 1
Orthopedic coders cheered earlier this year when ICD-9 2006 introduced nine new prosthesis or implant [...] - Reader Questions:
Pain Pumps May Not Be Billable
Question: Our surgeon performs multi-level posterior and anterior spinal fusion surgeries for scoliosis and he [...] - Reader Questions:
Report Digital Blocks, but Not With Surgery
Question: When is it appropriate to report a digital block? Is it always bundled?
New York [...] - Reader Questions:
Confirm Spinal Block Location for Fluoro
Question: Can I report fluoroscopy in conjunction with pain management blocks? If so, which code [...] - Reader Questions:
Report Limited EMG for Fewer Than 5 Muscles
Question: What are the guidelines for reporting electromyography codes 95860-95864? How do these codes differ [...] - Reader Questions:
Look to Modifier 58 for Double Fracture Care
Question: Last week, our surgeon reduced a patient's distal radius fracture and we charged code [...] - Reader Questions:
Avoid Trigger Point Codes for Trochanteric Bursa
Question: How should I code injection of trochanteric bursa and sacral crest? My orthopedic surgeon [...] - Guest Column:
David V. Janeway, MD--Tennis and Golfers' Elbow: They're Not Just the Participant's Problem Anymore
The surgeon's notes will give you a hint about the right codes to report If [...] - Benchmarking Update:
Compare Your Elbow Surgery Code Utilization to Others'
You-ve charted your E/M code usage against averages--now take the next step
In the July Orthopedic [...] - Clip and Save:
Use This Elbow Surgery Benchmarking Data as Your Guide When Comparing Fasciotomy Usage
Medicare data reveals the most frequently reported elbow surgery codes Tally up your practice's elbow [...]
