October 6, 2022 Question: The new guidelines that are coming out in 2021 for all types of E/M services, right? Answer: No. The new guidelines are for office/outpatient visit codes only (99202-99215). You will still need to use the current guidelines for all other E/M services, even consultations in the office. But good news, the...
September 22, 2022 Question: I sent a patient out to the hospital for a CTA and the patient brought in the actual images and the radiologist’s report for me to review. Can I charge 76140 (Consultation on X-ray examination made elsewhere, written report) when I personally interpret those images and write my own report? Answer:...
September 8, 2022 Question: The surgeon used a stent and then inserted an embolization coil for an aneurysm. Are both billable? Answer: If the stent is placed to provide a latticework for deployment of the embolism coil, then no. You would just bill for the embolization. If the stent itself is the sole definitive procedure...
August 25, 2022 Question: Our vascular surgeon documented a single intervention for a lesion that crosses the margin between the fem/pop and tibial/peritoneal territories. Should we bill one code or one for each territory? Answer: You would bill one code since a single intervention was performed, even though it crossed into another territory. *This response...
August 11, 2022 Question: Can we bill for all vessels mentioned if they are documented within the angiogram? Answer: No. You should only bill for vessels that are targeted and are medically necessary. Documentation alone doesn’t mean that procedures are always separately billable. *This response is based on the best information available as of 08/11/22...
July 28, 2022 Question: I’m new to vascular coding, can we bill for vascular access for a catheterization? The provider documents this, so I’m thinking I am missing a code. Answer: No, vascular access itself is not separately billable with a catheterization. However, the provider must document the vessel accessed , what side of the...
July 14, 2022 Question: I have 2 vascular surgeons from the same practice that want to bill co-surgery for a complex open abdominal aneurysm repair. They both performed the same code but say that it should be co-surgery because it was complex and needed both surgeons. Can we bill with modifier -62? Answer: The surgery...
June 30, 2022 Question: Does it matter that the open exposure codes are now add-on codes? Does that change payment or coding in any way? Answer: Yes, this change has both coding and payment implications. In terms of coding, the open exposure codes can now only be reported with a primary code; the main body...
June 16, 2022 Question: I almost always use a 12 French or larger catheter for placing the main body for EVAR. Do I always bill the new code 34713, when what I use is a 12 French or larger? Answer: Yes, if your approach/exposure is percutaneous. CPT code +34713, Percutaneous access and closure of femoral...
June 2, 2022 Question: Now that we aren’t limited to HIPAA compliant software, can we use any app or platform to conduct a telemedicine visit? Answer: During the public health emergency (PHE), you may use any app or platform that is not “public facing” according to HHS. Platforms such as Facebook Live, Twitch, and TikTok...
