Orthopedic Coding Alert
Report 99271 Series for Second Opinions
Question: One of my former patients, whom I haven't seen in more than a year, came to my office for a second opinion regarding another orthopedist's recommendation for total knee replacement (27447). Should I report an established patient visit or a confirmatory consultation? Kansas Subscriber Answer: The Confirmatory Consultations section of CPT (99271-99275) references "New or Established" patients, so you can still report this code series despite the fact that you examined an established patient. Remember, however, that CPT includes "opinion or advice only" in the confirmatory consultation codes. If you provided any E/M services in addition to your opinion, report the appropriate established patient E/M code (99211-99215).
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- New G Code Allows Chondroplasty Payment with Meniscectomy
Orthopedists who perform chondroplasty (29877) and meniscectomies (29880-29881) in separate compartments can once again recoup [...] - Rule of Thumb:
25447 Includes Trapezium Excision
" Hand surgeons who document thumb carpometa-carpal stabilization" " "Eaton procedure" or "LRTI" in their [...] - You Be the Coder:
Use V67.09 for Annual Visit
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Split Codes When Billing WorkersComp with Medicare
If your workers'compensation examination (99201-99215) turns up a separate problem, maintain separate notes for each [...] - 2003 Fee Schedule Update:
Arthroscopic Lateral Release Pays More Than Open
To many orthopedists, CMS'2003 Physician Fee Schedule contains bone-chilling news: The 4.4 percent conversion-factor reduction [...] - New CCI Edition Bundles 64416 into Most Orthopedic Codes
Version 9.0 of the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI), which took effect on Jan. 1, bundles [...] - Reader Question:
Use Unlisted-Procedure Code for Thermal Shrinkage
Question: Is there a CPT code for thermal shrinkage of the knee or shoulder? Minnesota [...] - Reader Question:
Laminectomy Includes Dural Leak Repair
Question: Our surgeon performed a lumbar laminec-tomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy, during which he caused a [...] - Reader Question:
Use In-Office Physicians ID for Incident-To
Question: One of our physicians treated a patient for a sprained ankle, and a week [...] - Reader Question:
Assign 13100 Series to Complex Repairs
Question: Our orthopedist removed hardware from a patient's injury site, during which he removed the [...] - Reader Question:
Report 25420 for Nonunion Repair
Question: I performed ulnar and radial nonunion repair with autograft through two separate incisions. I [...] - Reader Question:
Report 99271 Series for Second Opinions
Question: One of my former patients, whom I haven't seen in more than a year, [...] - Reader Question:
Use 20605 for Medial Epicondyle Injection
Question: Should we report 64450* (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch) or 20605* [...] - Reader Question:
Append -26 for Fluoroscopy with 20600
Question: When I administer a finger joint injection (20600) with fluoroscopy, should I use a [...]
