Tag: CPT Codes

CPT code 99201

Understanding Why 99201 Will be Deleted

An overview of the proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: The proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) rule for 2020 was officially released on Aug. 14, 2019, encompassing various elements. Among these are proposals such as adjusting the PFS conversion factor to $36.09, introducing new HCPCS codes for bundled episode-of-care treatment for opioid use disorders, revising […]
Evaluation and Management Services

More Changes Ahead for Evaluation and Management Services

Changes to payment, coding, and documentation policies for evaluation and management (E/M) services finalized in the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule are necessary to align with the American Medical Association’s (AMA) revisions to the 2021 CPT code set for office/outpatient E/M visits, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The proposed policy changes for E/M visits are […]
Endoscopic Sinus Codes

CMS Proposes Payment Changes to Endoscopic Sinus Codes

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing major payment changes to sinus endoscopy services. The 2020 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule (page 53) includes the following excerpt: What Does This Mean for Physicians? This means CMS is looking to apply the multiple endoscopy rules, as are found with colonoscopy endoscopic sinus codes, when […]
Surgical Procedure

Procedural Codes: Global Surgery & Related Services

Multiple Surgeries Multiple surgeries are separate procedures performed by a physician on the same patient at the same operative session or on the same day. Multiple surgeries are distinguished from procedures that are components of or incidental to a primary procedure. Intraoperative services, incidental surgeries or components of surgeries will not be separately reimbursed. Reimbursement […]
Evaluation and Management Service Codes

AMA on Evaluation and Management Service Codes Guidelines

Medical coders who were unsure what documentation non-Medicare payers would expect in light of the Patients Over Paperwork Initiative now have more to go on. The initiative reduced documentation requirements for outpatient evaluation and management service codes (CPT® 99201-99215) provided to Medicare Part B patients beginning in 2021. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicated in their initiative that, although […]
OB/GYN Coding

Correct Common OB/GYN Coding Mistakes

Overlooking separately billable services rendered during the global period will cost your practice dearly. Many obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN Coding) practices are coding deliveries incorrectly or failing to submit claims for “problem visits” during a prenatal or postpartum visit. Common mistakes such as these not only fail to capture payment for services rendered but also the meaningful […]
Emergency Claim Denials

How to Approach Emergency Department Claim Denials

By now, many hospitals have received denials for emergency department level-of-care coding. We could legitimately ask, “how did this happen?” Today we shall address how it started, why it’s important, and potential institutional responses. Denials for emergency care are not new. The spectrum of denials and the audacity with which payers deny claims now strains […]