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Eli's Rehab Report

Debridement, Central Motor EP Highlight 2005 CPT Changes
EP codes eliminate the need for unlisted-procedure code and payment hassles If your ph... Read more
How to Improve Late Effects Coding
5 strategies keep complications out and reimbursement inOverlooking late effects ICD-9 cod... Read more
Put Your Late Effects Knowledge to the Test
2 coding scenarios challenge what you've learned Choosing late effects codes isn't always ... Read more
Don't Forget Pulse Generator CPT Changes
Minor alterations to 63685 and 64590 are still important CPT Codes 2005 makes minor c... Read more
Prepare for Time-Based Acupuncture Codes
More physician involvement could signal policy change Your physical medicine and rehab (P... Read more
Reader Question:
Solutions for Bilateral Occipital Nerves
Question: My physician prepared the suboccipital skin with isopropyl alcohol. He performed... Read more
Reader Question:
Capture Bilateral 62311
Question: When I use CPT 62311 how do I capture the "bilateral" portion? The descriptor st... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Alternative for Glossopharyngeal Nerve Code
Question: How should I code a glossopharyngeal nerve block? Montana Subscriber Answer: The... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Craniotomy-Incision Botox Injections
Question: How should I code for Botox injections along a craniotomy incision? My physiatri... Read more
NCCI 10.3 Update:
Count Whirlpool and Hubbard as Component Codes
Watch for diskography, spinal stimulators, inpatient codes bundleIf you continue to report... Read more
No Need to Hesitate With Spinal Infusion Pumps
Balance opioid therapy between patients and DEA When your physician provides long-term op... Read more
Don't Be Reluctant With Pain Meds, DEA says
Opioid therapy should include ongoing evaluations As long as your physiatrist regularly a... Read more
News You Can Use:
75 Percent Rule Gets Another Look
Tweaking criteria could throw a lifeline to threatened facilities Good news for rehab ... Read more
Change the Way You Code Chemodenervation and EMG
 Use 95870 only with 64612-64614, 64640 You should no longer report chemodenervation... Read more
Reader Question:
Identify Diskography and IDET Location
Question: Can a physiatrist perform a diskography at the same time as intradiskal electrot... Read more
Reader Question:
No Need to Repeat PFSH for Well Patient
Question: What should a physiatrist on his daily rounds document for history when the pati... Read more
Reader Question:
Look to EMG for Quantitative Motor Unit Potential Analysis
Question: What is the CPT code for quantitative motor unit potential analysis? New Y... Read more
You Be the Coder
Multiple Epidurals During Same Session Question: Can I bill for multiple epidurals for the... Read more
Did You Know?You Can Use ESWT For Musculoskeletal Conditions
But what payers cover varies, so watch out   Many physicians use extracorporeal s... Read more
Get It Straight:
Botulinum Type B Is Not Botox
5 botulinum questions and answers can make you $139 more Do you know the difference betwe... Read more
Know What to Expect From Medicare ESWT Policies
3 examples will save you a hassle in the long run When you report ESWT for patients with ... Read more
News You Can Use:
Obey the Rules of the Direct-Access Road
Your PT practice may not receive payment as easily When patients start to ache, they may h... Read more
Reader Questions:
Code Barbotage as Joint Injection
Question: Our physiatrist documented "barbotage of a calcific density in the supraspinatus... Read more
Reader Questions:
Same-Date E/M With Epidural Block Requires -25
Question: Can we charge an E/M service on the same day as an epidural block?North Carolina... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Expect Separate Payment for Telephone Calls
Question: Are any insurance companies paying for telephone consults (99371-99373)? What ab... Read more
Reader Questions:
You Won't Find a Code for an Intra-Articular Pars Injection
Question: What is the ICD-9 code for L5 pars fracture and the CPT code for an intra-arti... Read more
You Be the Coder:
You May Want to Report 726.39 for Bone Spur
Question: What is the correct diagnosis code for an olecranon bone spur? ICD-9 points to 7... Read more
5 Expert Answers to Your Aquatic Therapy Questions
From skill versus unskilled therapy to the use of public pools, our coding specialists g... Read more
Don't Settle for Unilateral Pay With Bilateral Procedures
Use modifier -50 to collect about $137 more for your facet injections You're not alone if... Read more
Part B Bundles Some Therapy Services Into SNF Payments
Physicians can report TENS and strapping in an SNF, but therapists can't If your therapist... Read more
News You Can Use:
New ICD-9 Edition Better Specifies Stroke and CVA
Code 436 no longer applies to every stroke chart As of Oct. 1, you should assign 434.91 (... Read more
Reader Question:
No Specific Timing Exists Between Acute, Chronic
Question: My physician documents "traumatic brain injury (TBI) with decreased activities ... Read more
Reader Question:
99301-99303 Do Not Reflect Level of Service
Question: We recently began referring patients to nursing facilities, and we also provide... Read more
Reader Question:
'And/Or' Makes the Difference for 64614
Question: My physician injected Botox into the trapezius muscle and splenius capitis mus... Read more
Reader Question:
Use 64999 for Achalasia Chemodenervation
Question: Can I report CPT 43236 for an esophagogastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) with botulinu... Read more
You Be the Coder:
How Should We Report Infraorbital Block?
Question: One of our physicians performed an infraorbital nerve block. What is the corre... Read more
New ICD-9 Codes Allow Site Specificity for Decubitus Ulcers
You have until Oct.1 to implement the new diagnosis code changes Coders, take notice: At... Read more
6 Easy Coding Tips for Amputation Rehabilitation
From wound care to aquatic therapy, keep amputee's rehab codes straight Do you know which... Read more
NCCI 10.2 Bundles Lidocaine Into Hundreds of Codes
If you bill J2001 with your injections, the latest edits will get your attention If your... Read more
News You Can Use:
Are You Reporting 64999 for IDEA? Think Again
Category III codes replace unlisted-procedure code July 1, 2004, has come and gone, w... Read more
Reader Question:
Treat a WC Patient, Use Office Visit Code
Question: Should I use work-related CPT 99455 each time my physiatrist sees a workers'c... Read more
Reader Question:
New Patient Not Based on Creating Medical Record
Question: When a patient presents to the office for the first time after our physician di... Read more
Reader Question:
Pair 64472 With 64470 for Additional Levels
Question: Our physiatrist performed an intra-articular joint injection in the cervical re... Read more
Reader Question:
Base 99313 and 99302 on Patient's New Medical Plan
Question: A physiatrist performs a history, evaluation and medical decision-making on a n... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Does CPT Include a Wound VAC Code?
Question: Our physiatrists have started using a "Wound VAC system" to expedite wound hea... Read more
Code Initial RSD Visits According to Symptoms
Use the 337.2x series only if the physiatrist definitively diagnoses RSD If your physiatr... Read more
Billing Debridement Codes for Dressing Changes?Think Again
Modifier -25 may be your key to bedsore pay for debridement,E/M visit If your physiatrist... Read more
Clip-and-Save Chart:
1 Sure Way to Nail Down the Correct RSD Codes
Use our handy chart to quickly identify your patient's RSD services Because reflex sympath... Read more
Modifiers -52 and -53:
Asking 1 Question Helps You Pick the Correct Modifier
Experts explain what to do when the physiatrist doesn't complete the procedure The physia... Read more
READER QUESTION:
Report Botox Once per Procedure
Question: My physiatrist performed a peripheral nerve branch chemodenervation with Botox ... Read more
READER QUESTION:
V Codes Describe Follow-up Total Hip/Knee Replacement Exams
Question: Our physiatrist often takes over the rehabilitation responsibilities for total ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Do CVA Codes Refer to Brain or Body?
Question: For a late effect CVA (cerebrovascular accident), or stroke, patient, should I... Read more
NCCI 10.1 Edits Could Cost You More Than $120 Per Test
16 testing codes are now bundled into scores of spinal injection codes If your physiatris... Read more
Forget Separate Payment for Therapy Evals, Orthotics Codes
New NCCI edits bundle 97755 into 21 other codes If you're billing the new assistive tech... Read more
3 Tips Help You Choose Among Modifiers -59, -76 and -77
Hint: -76 and -77 signal repeats, while  -59 refers to a different procedure You asp... Read more
Want to Make an Extra 15% Each Time You Report 99213?
5 requirements get you 100 percent nonphysician-practitioner reimbursement If a nonphysic... Read more
Reader Question:
Whirlpool Alone Is Justifiable for Wound Care
Question: We often use whirlpool to help cleanse patients' wounds. Our carrier recently to... Read more
Reader Question:
Appeal Modifier -25 Denials
Question: Whenever I use modifier -25 on an E/M service with a procedure code on the same ... Read more
Reader Question:
Maintenance Therapy Doesn't Pay
Question: Our office manager thinks that our therapist's gait training documentation refer... Read more
Reader Question:
Append -32, but Don't Expect More Money
Question: Our physiatrist spends a lot of time on confirmatory consultations that insurers... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Let Patient's Age Drive Diabetes Diagnosis
Question: Our rehab physician recently saw a 16-year-old motor-vehicle accident patient wi... Read more
You Be The Coder:
Modifier -50 and 95900 Don't Mix
Question: Should we append modifier -50 to 95900 when we perform bilateral testing for car... Read more
4 Steps to Nerve Conduction Study Reimbursement
Identify the nerves tested to ease the path, experts sayIf you're confused when the physia... Read more
Performing Joint Injections Too Often? Prepare an ABN
Don't write off the $50-80 that Medicare allots for 20600-20610If you research payable dia... Read more
3 Answers to Your Consult Coding Questions
You can't 'boost' your MDM level, but you can improve your documentation ... Read more
Reader Question:
Report Trigger Point Code Once for 3 Sites
Question: Our physiatrist performed trigger point injections into the patient's back (rhom... Read more
Reader Question:
27096 Refers to SI Joint, Not Hip
Question: Our physiatrist performed a right hip joint injection under fluoroscopic guidanc... Read more
Reader Question:
Nurse Removes Stitches? Report 99211
Question: A motor-vehicle accident patient came to our office for therapy, and our nurse r... Read more
Reader Question:
Crutch Training Code Depends on Practitioner
Question: When we teach a patient how to use crutches, should we report CPT 99211 or a mo... Read more
You Be The Coder:
How to Report Botox for Blepharospasm
Question: How should I report Botox injections to control blepharospasm?Texas SubscriberAn... Read more
Select the Appropriate Injection Code in 4 Easy Steps
Hint: Look for these key words in the documentationMost PM&R practices submit injectio... Read more
Bill SNF Patients' Therapy Directly to Nursing Facility
Don't risk losing $80 or more per claim: follow consolidated billing rules When skilled nu... Read more
Report These Codes Directly to the SNF
Most diagnostic, therapy services are subject to consolidated billingMedicare includes hun... Read more
Debunk a 99211 Myth -- It's Not Just for Nurses
Learn 99211's requirements to determine whether your visits warrant itBecause PM&R pra... Read more
Reader Question:
Use New Patient Code After Covering
Question: When my physiatrist covers for another local private-practice rehab physician, I... Read more
Reader Question:
Base Dorsolateral Nerve Block on Injection Type
Question: What is the best CPT Code for a dorso-lateral sacral nerve branch block? Vi... Read more
Reader Question:
Consults Apply to New and Established Patients
Question: Should I report a consult for an established patient (whom we last saw two years... Read more
Reader Question:
Test Five Muscles to Report 95860-95864
Question: In your March 2004 article "Don't Forget EMG Guidance With Myobloc Injections," ... Read more
You Be The Coder:
Should We Append -52 to 95860?
Question: When we report EMG code 95860 without testing the paraspinals, should we attach ... Read more
Think J0585 Is a Catchall Botox Code? You May Be Throwing Away $340 Per Vial
Hint: Look for special Myobloc code, experts say If you report Botox type B (BTB) using ... Read more
Don't Forget EMG Guidance With Myobloc Injections
If you perform electromyographic (EMG) guidance to ensure Botox injection needle placement... Read more
How Does Your State Measure Up?
We've got the scoop on which states have the best BTB reimbursement Individual Medicare ... Read more
NCCI 10.0 Bundles Nerve Blocks With Most PM&R Codes
Medicare considers pretherapy injections nonreimbursable  The latest version of the... Read more
News You Can Use:
Higher Conversion Factor Bolsters PM&R Practices' Pay
CMS finally released the long-awaited 2004 conversion factor. According to CMS' Dec. 24 tr... Read more
3 Tips Increase Your Discharge Reimbursement of $75-$100
Don't let poor documentation sink your 99238-99239 claims Physiatrists report hospital d... Read more
Reader Question:
Carriers Still Hashing Out 97755 Rules
Question: How many units of the new PM&R CPT 97755 can I report on the same date?Tenn... Read more
Reader Question:
Ask the Physician for Isaac's Syndrome Code
Question: Is there a specific diagnosis code for Isaac's syndrome? Texas Subscrib... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Is This Group Therapy?
Question: Our therapist often works with two patients simultaneously in a skilled nursing ... Read more
Secure Inpatient Pay Every Time With This ICD-9 Code Sequence
Primary DX should represent why you see the patient, not the underlying condition Physia... Read more
Stop Giving Away Your CPO Services for Free
Correct documentation could earn you an extra $80 Don't let carriers undervalue your phy... Read more
CPO Codes at a Glance
Use this quick reference to code your physician's CPO services If you frequently repo... Read more
Create a Foolproof System for Tracking CPO Services
As with other time-based codes, you must have thorough documentation to report CPO service... Read more
Fee Schedule Update:
Physicians Escape 4.5 Percent Cut for 2004
Medicare legislation raises conversion factor by 1.5 percent Congress offered physiatrist... Read more
Determine the Effect of the 2004 Fee Schedule on These Common Procedures
The following chart outlines a sampling of physician work RVU cuts for common PM&R pro... Read more
News You Can Use:
Congress Imposes 2-Year Moratorium on Therapy Cap
$1,590 cap no longer applies to therapy claims Good news for rehab providers: CMS' dreade... Read more
Reader Question:
Report 92950 for Resuscitation
Question: Our physiatrist was making rounds at the hospital today when he responded to a "... Read more
Reader Question:
Describe Wrist Aspiration With 20605
Question: I performed a consultation at the hospital, where I also aspirated the patient's... Read more
Reader Question:
Track E/M Components With New Category II Codes
Question: What is the new Category II section in CPT, and how should we use it? Flori... Read more
You Be the Coder:
One Diagnosis Code or Two?
Question: If a patient has knee pain and shoulder pain, should we report each diagnosis, o... Read more
CPT 2004 Clarifies Trigger Point Code
The AMA continues to tinker with the trigger point injection code descriptors, and CPT 200... Read more
CPT Clears Up Cloudy Starred Procedures
Don't let deleted 'stars' disrupt your private carrier payment The AMA ha... Read more
3 OIG Hot Spots and How to Steer Clear of Them
Want to avoid OIG scrutiny in 2004?  Shore up modifiers, E/Ms Do you append modifi... Read more
Clarification:
Ask Your Payer About E/M With EMG
The November 2003 article "Reporting E/M and EMG? Avoid These Pitfalls" stated that in mos... Read more
Reader Question:
Prolonged Services Require Same Date
Question: Our group of physiatrists evaluates a patient on day one. The following day the... Read more
Reader Question:
No Anesthesia, No 15852
Question: One of our patients was in the rehab facility recovering from an automobile acc... Read more
Reader Question:
Show Payer the Time You Spend on E/M
Question: One of our insurers downcodes my E/M visits because the diagnoses don't support... Read more
Reader Question:
Report Intradiskal Injection by Site
Question: How should I code an intradiskal injection? Texas Subscriber Answer: Before you... Read more
Reader Question:
Report Hospital Admit or Outpatient E/M - Not Both
Question: When we admit a patient to the hospital directly from the office, should we bil... Read more
You Be the Coder:
How Should I Report NP's Services?
Question: Which code should I use for a nurse practitioner (NP) visit when the physiatrist... Read more
Available Years:  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000