Radiology Coding Alert

Kick the habit of reporting multiplelevel code for bilateral service. If you want to keep your pain management program out of the OIG's crosshairs, your transforaminal epidural injection claims need to be squeaky clean. Here's why: The OIG Work Plan for 2010 includes a closer look at Medicare payments for these injections (http://oig.hhs.gov/publications/docs/workplan/2010/Work_Plan_FY_2010.pdf). The Work Plan specifically states, "We will review Medicare claims to determine the appropriateness of Medicare Part B payments for transforaminal epidural injections." Follow these steps to be sure you're counting levels and assigning codes correctly. 1. Tackle the Term 'Transforaminal' Physicians often administer transforaminal epidurals laterally through the selected neuroforamen (the natural opening between vertebrae) under fluoroscopy, says Joanne Mehmert, CPC, CCS-P, president of Joanne Mehmert and Associates in Kansas City, Mo. Once there, the physician performs an injection at the nerve root area to help relieve the patient's pain. The medication goes into the [...]