Practice Management Alert

Question: A colleague told me that if we bill to Palmetto, there are two new codes we can use for varicose veins, but I can’t find the information anywhere. Is there new Palmetto guidance I should know? Hawaii Subscriber Answer: Your colleague is correct. Effective Oct. 18, 2012, Palmetto added two new ICD-9 codes that support medical necessity for lower extremity varicose vein procedures: 459.31, Chronic venous hypertension with ulcer 459.33, Chronic venous hypertension with ulcer and inflammation. To be sure you refer to the LCD that applies to your date of service, search the Medicare coverage database at www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/. For instance, to find the LCD referenced here, search L31796 in the quick search box, and then enter the relevant date of service on the next screen.