Hello,
I am looking for some insight as well as need to know where I can find in writing, or examples of in writing, topics related to the following scenario:
Billing for a surgical assistant ONLY.
The assistant is scheduled for a CABG. Assitant gets there and ONLY performs an EVH. The assistant notates "EVH only". And the operative report submitted prior to billing states this as well. Primary surgeon bills 33533,33518,20926, 33508.
Which is correct (legally and following coding guidelines) for the assist to bill their portion?
1. The assistant billing company submits a claim with 33533, 33518, 33508 (20926 is NAR for assistant payment) to the commercial insurance company for payment.
OR
2. The assistant billing company uses another policy to bill for the assistants services without billing the commercial insurance since documentation stipulates the assistant did not participate in any other procedure outside of add on CPT 33508.
I am of the mindset for option 2. But need something extra besides my knowledge as a certified coder to back this up and provide up the chain of command so to speak.
TIA!
I am looking for some insight as well as need to know where I can find in writing, or examples of in writing, topics related to the following scenario:
Billing for a surgical assistant ONLY.
The assistant is scheduled for a CABG. Assitant gets there and ONLY performs an EVH. The assistant notates "EVH only". And the operative report submitted prior to billing states this as well. Primary surgeon bills 33533,33518,20926, 33508.
Which is correct (legally and following coding guidelines) for the assist to bill their portion?
1. The assistant billing company submits a claim with 33533, 33518, 33508 (20926 is NAR for assistant payment) to the commercial insurance company for payment.
OR
2. The assistant billing company uses another policy to bill for the assistants services without billing the commercial insurance since documentation stipulates the assistant did not participate in any other procedure outside of add on CPT 33508.
I am of the mindset for option 2. But need something extra besides my knowledge as a certified coder to back this up and provide up the chain of command so to speak.
TIA!