Reporting Post Op codes to Medicare

[jennyp@sierraneurosurgery.com]

Good Morning - Does anyone know if it is appropriate to report post op codes to Medicare when the physicians talk to the patients on the phone? If so, would there need to be documentation to support it?

Thank you!

 

[JenniferB7]

If the calls are happening during a global period for a procedure, then the calls are included in the surgical fee and not separately reportable. Per CPT guidelines for Telephone Services: "If the telephone call refers to an E/M service . . . within the postoperative period of the previously completed procedure, then the service(s) are considered part of that procedure." (CPT 2017, pg. 39)

Also, Medicare considers telephone call codes 99441–99443 to be part of the pre-service or post-service work of other physician E/M or procedural services and not separately payable (https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/bp102c15.pdf) (see page 12, Section 30 - Physician Services, Part B - Telephone Calls).

Hope that helps!

 

[CodingKing]

I don't think you can report the post-op information only tracking code 99024 for phone calls, just scheduled in office follow-up visits.