Orthopedic Coding Alert
Medicare Ups Conversion Factor … Slightly
Question: Has there been any change to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) conversion factor (CF)? I know the CF is sometimes adjusted after the final rule, and was hoping for a bump. Minnesota Subscriber Answer: Yes, there has been a change in the CF — but it’s probably not the increase you were hoping for. The basics: On March 9, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024. The act included a 2.93 percent update to the 2024 MPFS CF. In turn, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) adjusted the previous CF from $33.07 to $33.29. This CF change applies to dates of service from March 9 through December 31, 2024. Check out future issues of Orthopedic Coding Alert for other fee schedule updates.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- Surgery:
Take These Tips to Tackle TKR Coding Head-On
A single surgical code doesn’t mean TKR is easy to report. When a patient requires [...] - E/M Coding:
Answer the How, What, When, and Why for Preoperative Evaluations
Don’t forget to check for comorbid conditions. Knowing how to navigate and select all of [...] - Compliance:
Final Rule Aims to Improve Interoperability and Access to Care
Plus: Feds finalize new API requirements and a MIPS measure, too. After the pandemic revealed [...] - You Be the Coder:
Golfer’s Elbow Diagnosis, Tx
Question: Encounter notes that a patient reports to the orthopedist with complaints of pain and tenderness [...] - Reader Questions:
Medicare Ups Conversion Factor … Slightly
Question: Has there been any change to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) conversion factor (CF)? [...] - Reader Questions:
Know US Differences
Question: What’s the difference between a complete and limited joint ultrasound (US)? Idaho Subscriber Answer: As the [...] - Reader Questions:
Sidestep Contusion Confusion With These Codes
Question: Our foot specialist recently examined a patient presenting with a bruise on their left foot. [...] - Reader Questions:
Employ Protections for Patient Signatures
Question: In our recent risk evaluation, we discovered that the electronic signatures we and our patients [...] - Reader Questions:
Know Which Finger Is ‘Triggered’ for Correct Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from “L trigger finger.” Is the trigger finger [...]
