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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Refer to Column 'Z' for Supervision Requirements

Published on Mon Oct 26, 2009

Question: Our practice employs an audiologist who performs audiological tests off-site from the otolaryngologist. Does Medicare permit me to bill these services? Vermont Subscriber Answer: Yes, Medicare exempts certain diagnostic tests from general, direct, and personal supervision. You can find a code's supervision requirements in column "Z" of the National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File. If the "Physician Supervision of Diagnostic Procedures" column contains a "5," the audiologist may perform the test off-site, and you can still bill the service. "Physician supervision policy does not apply when the procedure is personally furnished by a qualified audiologist; otherwise the procedure must be performed under the general supervision of the physician," states Medicare Transmittal B-01-28. Examples of the audiologic function tests that an offsite audiologist may perform and bill under her personal identification number (that is, you are not billing incidentto the physician) include: • 92552-92556 -- Audiometry tests • 92557 -- Comprehensive [...]
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