August 11, 2022 Question: Can I use modifiers on an unlisted code? What about global period modifiers such as 58, 78 or 79? It seems reasonable to append those modifiers…

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…

August 11, 2022 Question: Our surgeon saw a new patient in the office yesterday. His documentation supported reporting the E&M using time instead of based upon MDM. My question is…

August 11, 2022 Question: Can I bill an office visit in the global period if the diagnosis is different from why I did the original procedure? Answer: Yes, as long…

August 11, 2022 Question: My surgeon was called into a laparoscopic operation that was already underway, to perform extensive lysis of adhesions. Does he need to use a modifier 52…

August 11, 2022 Question: How do you report a spinal procedure for example, arthrodesis or laminectomies when two spinal are involved. For example., both thoracic and lumbar spine? Answer: Report…

July 28, 2022 Question: When billing for the muscle flap codes 15733, 15731 etc., can we also code for the surgeon’s cleaning and prepping by debridement before closing the wound…

July 28, 2022 Question: I did a left hip intraarticular steroid injection and used fluoroscopic guidance. Can I report the guidance in addition to the procedure? Answer: Yes, you would…

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.…

July 28, 2022 Question: A patient sustained an ankle fracture and a shoulder fracture and surgery was performed on same day by two different surgeons (partners) during the same surgical…

July 28, 2022 Question: My coder just told me about the new guidelines for 2021 office visit codes. She said I no longer have to document a History. This doesn’t…

July 28, 2022 Question: Can you please assist with the diagnosis for a Compound Dysplastic Nevi of back? Biopsy confirmed and not completely excused. Patient comes in for excision of…

July 28, 2022 Question: The surgeon performed an open colectomy and found a tear in the mesentery close to the incision, 44850 Suture of mesentery is listed as a “separate…

July 28, 2022 Question: Can code 20680, removal of implant, be used for removal of a previously placed intervertebral device, such as a PEEK cage? Answer: No. There is no…

July 14, 2022 Question: We have a new plastic surgeon who will start doing craniosynostosis surgery with a pediatric neurosurgeon. Will this be co-surgery using modifier 62? Answer: Potentially yes.…

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…

July 14, 2022 Question: I am a contracted physician with a group practice (Practice A) in our town. I have an opportunity to contract with another practice (Practice B) not…

July 14, 2022 Question: Can I use modifiers on an unlisted code? What about global period modifiers such as 58, 78 or 79? It seems reasonable to append those modifiers…

July 14, 2022 Question: Our surgeon insists on billing for 49002 reopening of a recent laparotomy and a 44005 lysis of adhesions, since the case is complicated because the laparotomy…

July 14, 2022 Question: I placed posterior percutaneous screws and rods without an arthrodesis. I know I have to use an unlisted code, 22899. How should I price it? Answer:…

June 30, 2022 Question: Can I use modifiers on an unlisted code? Answer: There is not a single right answer to this question. CPT said, in an old CPT Assistant,…

June 30, 2022 Question: I  heard someone say the 2022 CPT manual will be updated in July with new codes. I have never heard of this before. Is this a…

June 30, 2022 Question: We just recently began hiring PAs to see patient to assist our pain physicians. Our pain doctors want the PAs to see new patients and bill…

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…

June 30, 2022 Question: The guidelines that came out in 2021 for E/M services is for all types of E/M services, right? Answer: No. The 2021 E/M guidelines are for…

June 30, 2022 Question: I am new in Dermatology coding and am currently coding for a Mohs surgeon. I was instructed that if the patient comes in and does not…

June 30, 2022 Question: My coder just told me about the new guidelines for 2021 office visit codes. She said I no longer have to document a History. This doesn’t…

June 30, 2022 Question: Can I bill an office visit in the global period if the diagnosis is different from why I did the original procedure? Answer: Yes, as long…

June 16, 2022 Question: The patient had a re-do laminectomy for stenosis at L3-L4. Can code 63042 be used for this procedure? Answer: No. CPT 63042 is intended for a…

June 16, 2022 Question: I’ve heard you say to wait for the pathology report in order to bill for the skin lesion excision codes 114xx (benign) and 116xx (malignant)? What…