Eli's Rehab Report
Disability Forms
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Question: Is there a CPT code we can use when the physiatrist fills out disability or leave-of-absence forms? Sometimes they bring five or more papers for the physician to complete after their visit, but we don't know if we can bill for this time. Oklahoma Subscriber Answer: You can charge for filling out disability paperwork by billing 99080 (Special reports such as insurance forms, more than the information conveyed in the usual medical communications or standard reporting form) with the appropriate E/M office visit code. 99080 is an adjunct code, meaning you must report it in addition to another service. For example, a patient who performs heavy manual labor presents with carpal tunnel syndrome (354.0) and gives the physician disability paperwork to complete. The physiatrist evaluates the patient and spends 15 minutes filling out the forms. Use your discretion when determining a charge for this service. Some physicians charge a nominal fee of $25-$30 every time they fill out disability forms. Others charge only when the amount of paperwork is burdensome. Many practices consider this a goodwill service that they perform for patients as a way of creating good relationships and believe that charging for it can cause hard feelings in the community. Medicare doesn't cover 99080, and most other insurers reimburse for it only if the insurer specifically asked the physician to provide the information contained in the forms. If you are billing 99080, ask the patient to sign an advance beneficiary notice (ABN) ahead of time so she knows she will be responsible for paying for the service.
Eli's Rehab Report
- Dont Be Sore About Coding for Wound Care
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The following chart outlines approximate reimbursement amounts associated with wound care codes. These figures vary [...] - You Be the Coder:
Topical Gel for Therapy
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Dont Let Diagnosis Coding Be the Ignored Sibling
Although PM&R coders are often very focused on precise CPT coding, what they don't realize [...] - Self-Injectables Update:
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Long classified as a "self-injectable" drug, Avonex administration hasn't been reimbursable by Medicare, and multiple [...] - H-Reflex Study Coding:
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Medicare Halts Payment for sNCT Test
PM&R practices that use sensory nerve conduction threshold testing (sNCT) to diagnose conditions such as [...] - Breaking News:
TrailBlazer Expands Coverage for Myobloc Injections
Our June article "Be Specific When Coding for Myobloc" noted that Botox type B (also [...] - Reader Question:
ER Evaluation
Question: Can we use the CPT 99211 -99215 series of codes for ER visits? [...] - Reader Question:
Code for Reiki?
Question: Is there a CPT code for Reiki? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: No, the AMA [...] - Reader Question:
Nerve Injection
Question: Is there a CPT code for performing a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injection? Utah [...] - Reader Question:
Disability Forms
Question: Is there a CPT code we can use when the physiatrist fills out disability [...] - Reader Question:
Diskography Coding
Question: How should we code diskography done under fluoroscopy at three levels (L3-4, L4-5 and [...] - Reader Question:
Worried Patient
Question: We have had a few patients come to our practice suspecting that they had [...]