Orthopedic Coding Alert
E Codes
Nevada Subscriber
Answer: The "E" in E codes stands for External Causes of Injury and Poisoning. E codes give the carrier an account of how an accident occurred that resulted in a diagnosis. They can help in the reimbursement process, especially if the patient is slow to get accident information to the carrier. E codes should always be used as a secondary or adjunct diagnosis, and you should check with your carriers in advance to determine whether they accept them. If a carrier does not accept E codes, submitting them could cause the claim to pend or be rejected.
See "Use E Codes Properly With the Diagnosis Code To Avoid Denials" in the February 2001 issue of Orthopedic Coding Alert for more on using E codes for optimal reimbursement.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
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Arthroplasty
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HCFA Changes Name to CMS
The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), which administers Medicare and Medicaid policy, has been renamed [...] - Reader Question:
Assistant Surgeon
Question: We often use orthopedic residents from an area program, but when they arent available [...] - Reader Question:
Pin Removal With Scar Revision
Question: My doctor performed a removal of pins in the right hip with scar revision. [...] - Reader Question:
History and Physical by PA
Question: Can I charge for a history and physical (H&P) done by our physicians assistant [...] - Reader Question:
E Codes
Question: What are E codes, and should I be using them?
Nevada Subscriber
Answer: The "E" [...] - Reader Question:
Bone Graft
Question: My physician opened and prepared a graft site but then switched to synthetic bone [...] - Reader Question:
Operative Report Alteration
Question: If my physician fails to mention a procedure in his operative report, can he [...] - Reader Question:
Multiple Injections
Question: Im trying to bill 20550 for injections of multiple sites as separate line items [...] - Reader Question:
Synovectomy
Question: Our doctor performed an excision of a ganglion cyst (25111) and a synovectomy. How [...] - Reader Question:
Debridement
Question: Can I bill for debridement (11010) when billing for 25575? Insurance companies keep denying [...]
