slpagel
Contributor
Pt came for a screening Cscope. He has a history of polyps V12.72. The claim was submitted with G0105 for the CPT and V12.72. United Healthcare is claims that this is diagnostic. Has anyone else have this problem?
But this is not a followup exam for the polyps that were removed it is a screening for the colon as a whole. The patient is well, with no problems, the colon consists of several parts which must all be screened. I still see this as screening, and yes I have used the V 76.x codes with V10.x-V12.x codes many times. It is a screening for a patient that has had polyps removed in the past. It indicates a higher risk but still screening.So you would code V76.51 then V12.72?
According the the ICD-9 Coding Guidelines: "Personal history codes explain a patient's past medical condition that no longer exists and is not receiving any treatment, but that has the potential for recurrence, and therefore may requires continued monitoring...Personal history codes may be used in conjunction with follow up codes and family history codes may be used in conjunction with screening codes to explain the need for a test or procedure".
My interpretation is that the previous medical condition renders this no longer a simple screening. I welcome any other interpretations that may or may not change my point of view...
I agree coding for payment is unethical, it is something I would never even suggest. I still see this as a screening for a patient with a hx of polyps. It is the way we did it at the cancer center always. If a patient had breast cancer and has a screening mam for the surviving breast then it is a screening V code with a hx of breast cancer. I see this no different. So I guess it is an interpretation issue. The problem is the patient is at the heart of our interpretations.
I disagree with the comment that this is the way that the insurance wants it. Coding screening (v7651) is the way to code a colonoscopy so that it will get paid and there is no conflict with them or the patient. When I code V1272 as primary I do not get denials. I get deductible issues or 80/20 payment. But they are not denials. But as a coder I cannot in good faith code a patient who has a history of colon polyps or colon cancer as screening. I have to code the reason they are having the procedure and that reason is history. What do you do when a patient has Medicare and they have a hx of colon polyps and it has been two years since their colo? If you code V7651 with G0121 it will get denied for frequency because that can only be used every 10 years. The proper way to code it is V1272 with G0105.
Obviously we should all just agree to disagree on this one! LOL! The life of a coder. Now my big question -what are we going to do when we have a patient who has Medicare secondary and their primary payer recognizes consult codes next year? Do we bill the consult code or not?
The valuable piece of information that was given to me by the insurance company is that the rule of thumb is that in a patient with no history of any colon problems may have a screening colonoscopy every 10 years. In a patient that has or had a polyp (or any other condition pertinent to the colon), may have a screening colonoscopy perhaps every 2-3 or every 5 years BECAUSE they are at higher risk. If they are returning for the study at their physician's urging and not because they have pain or bleeding or any other symptom, it is a screening study.
Much of the coding heirarchy is very ambiguous and it puts us in a very confusing position (most times).
Sometimes, we not only have to change or hats daily but we have to change glasses to see things in different lights.
Good luck all
Pt came for a screening Cscope. He has a history of polyps V12.72. The claim was submitted with G0105 for the CPT and V12.72. United Healthcare is claims that this is diagnostic. Has anyone else have this problem?
I never intimated that Medicare or any other payer paid this I stated I felt this was the appropriate way to code it based on the information that the patient was here for screening due to a hx of polyps. Payment will be based on medical necessity and benefits.How can you code V7651 with G0121 every two to five years when a patient has a history of colon polyps when Medicare only pays for that every 10 years? If you are getting paid for this combination please let us in on the secret because I have never had a screening colo paid any sooner than 10 years by Medicare.