I also posted this under the anesthesia heading...
I do the coding for our billing service's anesthesia client. Is it essential from a compliance/audit standpoint for the anesthesia codes to match the surgeon's code? (we do not receive a copy of the op report). Example - procedure listed on billing sheet sent from the anesthesia group states "Endoscopic carpal tunnel, possible open". Even though the base units for both are the same, can you code this an endoscopic and not question it? The anesthesia group is telling us that it is OK to code in this manor, however, it makes me uncomfortable. Any guidance would be appreciated! (And if anyone has any documentation for support, that would be helpful too!)
I do the coding for our billing service's anesthesia client. Is it essential from a compliance/audit standpoint for the anesthesia codes to match the surgeon's code? (we do not receive a copy of the op report). Example - procedure listed on billing sheet sent from the anesthesia group states "Endoscopic carpal tunnel, possible open". Even though the base units for both are the same, can you code this an endoscopic and not question it? The anesthesia group is telling us that it is OK to code in this manor, however, it makes me uncomfortable. Any guidance would be appreciated! (And if anyone has any documentation for support, that would be helpful too!)