Wiki EKG/Family Practice

cmac

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i work for a family practice physician. a patient is having surgery; she had a pre-op exam, labs and ekg - everything was paid for but the ekg. i refiled with a 56 modifier on the ekg and that was denied as well. i didn't bother putting the 56 on the pre-op exam b/c they deny on that as well (we're talking medicare) this patient does not have a comorbid diagnosis that would cover an ekg normally like hypertension, etc. does anyone know how to get a pre-op ekg covered in these circumstances? any suggestion would help. Thanks!
 
I agree with the V72.8X codes look in your ICD-9 book and pick the appropriate code based on the issues involved in the pre-op visit. If you are going to use a modifier use the 25 on the consult code. We do not have any problems getting paid for our ekg's on pre-ops.
 
i work for a family practice physician. a patient is having surgery; she had a pre-op exam, labs and ekg - everything was paid for but the ekg. i refiled with a 56 modifier on the ekg and that was denied as well. i didn't bother putting the 56 on the pre-op exam b/c they deny on that as well (we're talking medicare) this patient does not have a comorbid diagnosis that would cover an ekg normally like hypertension, etc. does anyone know how to get a pre-op ekg covered in these circumstances? any suggestion would help. Thanks!

Your in the same boat with our office, we have that exact same problem with Medicare too, we've tried everything, they still consider it not medically necessary so we end up writing it off if the pt doesn't any comorbidities that are medically necessary.
 
Just to add to the discussion, you would not use modifier -56 on any part of the pre-op if this is for clearance performed at the request of the surgeon.
 
i work for a family practice physician. a patient is having surgery; she had a pre-op exam, labs and ekg - everything was paid for but the ekg. i refiled with a 56 modifier on the ekg and that was denied as well. i didn't bother putting the 56 on the pre-op exam b/c they deny on that as well (we're talking medicare) this patient does not have a comorbid diagnosis that would cover an ekg normally like hypertension, etc. does anyone know how to get a pre-op ekg covered in these circumstances? any suggestion would help. Thanks!


V72.84 is the correct ICD 9 code to use...You stated that pt didnot have another diagnosis but "why is he having surgery" that could be another dx code....

NO modifier should be used....


Hopefully you are using consult cpt codes (9924_) for the visit....


YTH,CPC
 
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