Tag Archive for ‘Current Procedural Terminology’
ACS responds to frequently asked questions about CPT coding
This column responds to some frequently asked Current Procedural Terminology coding questions posed to the ACS Coding Hotline.
ACS responds to frequently asked questions about CPT coding
This column responds to some frequently asked Current Procedural Terminology coding questions posed to the ACS Coding Hotline.
Correct CPT coding of colectomy procedures: Open or laparoscopic?
This column provides information that should clear up the uncertainty about how to correctly code laparoscopic colectomy procedures.
CPT coding for hepatobiliary surgery
This column identifies several frequently asked questions about coding for liver surgery and the correct coding responses.
Changes on the horizon for global services payment
The averted CMS policy that would have transitioned 10- and 90-day global payment codes to 0-day codes is summarized in this article, as is the legislation that will revise global payments in the coming years and the ACS’ advocacy-related role concerning these issues.
The importance of detailed documentation in ICD-10
Guidelines for transitioning to the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), including information about clinical documentation implementation programs are provided in this month’s column.
2014 fee schedule and CPT code changes will affect surgical practice
Several changes to payment policy and coding and reimbursement will take effect in 2014. Although the Medicare physician fee schedule and coding changes introduce several important payment and coding policies that will affect all physicians, this article focuses on updates particularly relevant to surgery and other related specialties.
The complexities of coding bilateral procedures
Coding for bilateral procedures is particularly challenging as the service is defined in various ways. This column addressed the complexities of coding these procedures and provides clinical case scenarios to clarify these guidelines.
Update: PQRS reporting of the perioperative care measures group
This column focuses on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Physician Quality Reporting System perioperative care measures group because it is the one surgeons use most frequently. First steps in reporting a claim along with denominator, frequency, and numerator topics are also covered.
Coding for damage-control surgery
This column explains how to correctly code for damage-control surgery using the current CPT manual including recommended CPT codes, codes to avoid, and clinical scenarios.
Effectively using E/M codes for trauma care
This column provides coding guidance and clinical scenarios on the appropriate use of E/M codes during the care of injured or critically ill patients, including the use of critical care codes, the coordination/counseling guide as a coding alternative to the tradition documentation guidelines (“bullets”), and modifiers for coding during the global surgical period.
Transitioning to ICD-10
Health care providers throughout the nation currently use International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). In 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a regulation requiring its replacement. The ACS encourages members to become familiar with the new code sets, understand the difference between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10, and prepare for how the change may affect their practices
Documentation of services provided in the postoperative global period
Over the last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has gradually increased its analysis of the value of global surgical packages. In particular, HHS has focused on the evaluation and management (E/M) services provided within the postoperative period, which are included in the value of the global surgical package. This column offers suggestions on how ACS Fellows may document services provided during the global period and explains why HHS is interested in the measurement of postoperative work.
2013 payment policy and coding changes affecting surgical practice
Several changes to payment policy and coding and reimbursement will take effect in 2013. Although the Medicare physician fee schedule and coding changes introduce several important payment and coding policies that will affect all physicians, this article focuses on updates particularly relevant to surgery and other related specialties.
Coding for skin replacement surgery in 2012
In 2012, comprehensive changes were made to the skin substitute codes, including the addition of new introductory language and the creation of eight new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes that describe topical application of skin substitute grafts
CPT 2012 brings with it new codes and code changes
The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)* 2012 manual comprises several new codes and code changes pertaining to general surgery and its closely related specialties. This article summarizes these modifications. New modifier The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all health care plans to begin covering immunizations and preventive services without any cost sharing. Modifier 33 has been […]
