![]() You should include the professional interpretation of the study in your documentation of the medical decision-making portion of your E/M service. The ultrasound/scan may contribute to the overall medical decision making (MDM), Granovsky says.Įxample: The urologist reads the results of the bladder scan after a separate facility performs the actual measurement. Let E/M Selection Sometimes Cover the Workīecause 51798 is considered a "reading" code, you can potentially report a separate E/M code to help cover code 51798's work. You should be able to bill 51798 for both Medicare and non-Medicare payers in any location (office or hospital) as this is a radiology code and is not included within a global period, meaning the global concept does not apply. Code 51798 represents a reading and payment is based solely on this measurement of volume. Modifiers such as 26 ( Professional component) and TC ( Technical component) are not needed since the Medicare fee schedule doesn't split 51798 into the separate components.Īlso: There is no physician work (work relative value units, RVUs) associated with 51798, which means it carries a work value of zero. There's no interpretation involved, because 51798 is only a measurement. What it means: Because code 51798 has no separate professional or technical component, you cannot bill only for professional services. Many imaging codes include both technical and professional components, but that isn't the case with 51798. However, remember, this is a "non-imaging" sonogram so an image or tape is not required for payment, points out Michael Ferragamo MD, FACS, clinical assistant professor of urology, State University of New York.īackup option: If the scanner doesn't print out an image, the physician should clearly document his work and the test results. This image will serve as proof of the urologist's service and will also help justify catheterization, if needed. You'll typically report 51798 when the urologist positions any ultrasonic scanner over the suprapubic area to measure residual urine.īonus: Most of the scanners print out an image or tape that can become part of the patient's permanent record. Instead, you'll stay in the urology section with 51798 ( Measurement of post-voiding residual urine and/or bladder capacity by ultrasound, non-imaging). This is the correct first step for the majority of procedures, but not bladder scans. Granovsky, MD, FACEP, CPC, president of LogixHealth, a medical coding and billing company in Bedford MA. Our experts offer real-world advice to explain bladder scan coding.įor diagnostic ultrasound codes, look in the radiology section of the CPT ® book (the 7xxxx codes) for most of the codes, instructs Michael A. One prime example from urology practices is the bladder scan, which is sometimes handled differently than other common scans. ![]() Trends during the past several years have included seeing more urologists (and other specialists) perform scans in their offices instead of hospital settings. Hint: Don't forget E/M could be allowed with 51798. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |