Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
CONSIDER BILLING BASED ON TIME
PDF
If the physician is talking to family members with a demented patient present, it may be difficult to separate out history from counseling, notes George Alex. The conversation may become more of a dialogue, and the physician may note in the chart that lengthy discussions were held with family members. In a lot of cases, the physician may spend most of the visit discussing options, including new drugs that are available, with the family members.
In this case, you should consider billing for the visit based on time, as counseling and coordination of care.
Also, some forms of dementia testing may straddle the lines between a mental status examination and a physical examination, and it may be easier to bill based on time. Otherwise, you may end up being forced to bill an unlisted E/M code , warns Alex.
Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert
- RADIOLOGY:
Imaging Interpretations - Turf War or Patient Safety Issue?
Uncontrolled spending could lead to restrictions A battle is brewing over who has the right [...] - DEMENTIA ASSESSMENT:
Don't Let History and Physical Drag Down Dementia Assessment Coding
Dementia is a broad diagnosis, and can come from a number of causes, including cardiovascular [...] - CONSIDER BILLING BASED ON TIME
If the physician is talking to family members with a demented patient present, it may [...] - RADIOLOGY:
Bar 'Self-Referrals'of Imaging Tests, ACR Urges CMS
Can the Centers of Medicare & Medicare Services staunch the flood of imaging services ordered [...] - BALL "IN AMA'S COURT" ON E/M CODING
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services isn't officially working on any new plan to [...] - INCIDENT-TO BILLING:
Your Incident-To Services Could Spark An Unpleasant Incident
6 tips for avoiding $150 K payback Incident-to billing is on the HHS Office of [...] - Research on Imaging Self-Referrals
According to an New York Times op-ed by radiologist David Levin, nonradiologists do poorly at [...] - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
Information Technology Will Lower Costs, Say Feds, MedPAC
Using information technology to push down costs and improve quality will be at the top [...] - Part B Coding Coach:
3 Expert Tips Upgrade Your Chest X-Ray Coding
Radiologists report 71010 more frequently than any other code -- make sure that your practice [...] - PHYSICIAN NOTES:
Help Your Patients Sign Up For Do-It-Yourself Drug Coverage
The Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a demo program June 24 that plans [...]