Eli's Rehab Report
Topical Gel for Therapy
PDF
Question: We have started using a topical gel for patients after physical therapy. It causes a very cold (almost freezing) sensation and helps ease pain and swelling. Is there a code for this? Colorado Subscriber Answer: You can bill for the freezing gel with CPT 97010 (Application of a modality to one or more areas; hot or cold packs), but Medicare and most other payers will not reimburse separately for this procedure when it is performed on the same day as any other procedure. It is a "bundled" code, which means that it will always be denied.
If the gel is costly, you should ask the supplier if there is a HCPCS code that you can bill for the supplies. If patients request the gel and it is not reimbursable, you can tell them it is a noncovered service, but ask them to pay for it. Medicare patients should first sign an advance beneficiary notice (ABN), demonstrating that they understand their responsibility for the costs.
Eli's Rehab Report
- Dont Be Sore About Coding for Wound Care
When CPT 2001 introduced codes 97601 and 97602, PM&R practices were pleased to finally have [...] - Wound Care Reimbursement Varies Widely
The following chart outlines approximate reimbursement amounts associated with wound care codes. These figures vary [...] - You Be the Coder:
Topical Gel for Therapy
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - ICD-9 Coding Corner:
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:
CMS Finally Reimburses for Avonex Injections
Long classified as a "self-injectable" drug, Avonex administration hasn't been reimbursable by Medicare, and multiple [...] - H-Reflex Study Coding:
Bilateral Payment for 95934 Doesnt Have to Be Unnerving
H-reflex studies are almost always performed bilaterally, but the code itself is based on a [...] - News Brief:
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 [...]