Wiki Questions on a few codes I got wrong...

[nwienke03@gmail.com]

Good afternoon!

I sit for my CPC in a week, and I feel woefully unprepared. I'm going to ask my questions, and I hope someone can help me understand what I did wrong.

1. Cancer patient coming in for treatment. Dr. notes the patient is dehydrated and will administer dehydration infusion. Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes. Why is my answer 96360, 96361 incorrect? Is it because it was exactly 1 hour and 30 minutes, so 96361 isn't needed?

2. Is a "temporary tracheostomy" not reportable or do I need to use code 31600? Would a modifier be needed?

Thank you for the help!
Nicole

 

[ahrx13]

I can answer your first question - you're correct, 96361 isn't needed. 96360 is for hydration infusions up to 90 minutes (1hr and 30 minutes), and 96361 can only be added on for intervals greater than 30 minutes after that (1 hr and 31 minutes/91 minutes).
I am less confident about your second question, but I believe if it's temporary, such as being a part of another procedure, it's not separately reported/billed. However, someone please correct me on that if I'm wrong.
Good luck on your exam!