dmcvinney
Contributor
Hi, all,
Patient had orbital fracture, doctor had to access the fracture via the canthus. Doc billed for fracture repair and Canthoplasty.
I felt funny about billing for the canthoplasty, since there was no injury to the canthus; it was just used as access for repair, so I discussed it with the doc. He feels the canthoplasty billing is appropriate.
He said that:
-in this particular patient's case it was necessary to access the fracture via the canthus
-more than simple closure was required, he actually had to reconstruct the canthus in order to finish the repair
-in situations like these he does not always have to do a Canthoplasty (or access in this way), but in this patient's case it was necessary
He asked that I bill the canthoplasty in addition to the orbital fracture repair.
Perhaps this is akin to excision of lesions where, if more than simple closure is needed, a physician is instructed in CPT to bill the intermediate or complex repair codes in addition to the lesion removal?
What are your thoughts? Has anyone encountered this situation? Not bundled. . .and as always, written references supporting your thinking are appreciated, if you know of any.
Thanks!
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Diane Mcvinney, CPC, OCS
Billing Manager, Jones Eye Institute
University of AR for Medical Sciences
DLMcvinney@...
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Patient had orbital fracture, doctor had to access the fracture via the canthus. Doc billed for fracture repair and Canthoplasty.
I felt funny about billing for the canthoplasty, since there was no injury to the canthus; it was just used as access for repair, so I discussed it with the doc. He feels the canthoplasty billing is appropriate.
He said that:
-in this particular patient's case it was necessary to access the fracture via the canthus
-more than simple closure was required, he actually had to reconstruct the canthus in order to finish the repair
-in situations like these he does not always have to do a Canthoplasty (or access in this way), but in this patient's case it was necessary
He asked that I bill the canthoplasty in addition to the orbital fracture repair.
Perhaps this is akin to excision of lesions where, if more than simple closure is needed, a physician is instructed in CPT to bill the intermediate or complex repair codes in addition to the lesion removal?
What are your thoughts? Has anyone encountered this situation? Not bundled. . .and as always, written references supporting your thinking are appreciated, if you know of any.
Thanks!
-------------------------------------------
Diane Mcvinney, CPC, OCS
Billing Manager, Jones Eye Institute
University of AR for Medical Sciences
DLMcvinney@...
-------------------------------------------