Q: I am the coding manager for our inpatient coding department. I am wondering if I should create an audit plan to monitor new coders or difficult diagnosis. If so, is there anything specific I should consider when trying to implement a plan
Q: We use an electronic system at our hospital and find it is difficult to query a physician since we all have our own processes. Would you recommend having a set format for a query that is used electronically?
Q: When multiple procedures are performed, is it appropriate to charge an additional set-up fee? For example, a facility performs a colonoscopy and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which took a total of 20 minutes in the procedure room. The facility charged two set-up fees plus an additional five minutes of OR time. Would this be considered a duplicate charge?
We have trouble billing multiple units of injections and infusions—mostly CPT add-on codes 96375 (injection, each additional sequential intravenous push of a new substance/drug) and 96376 (injection, each additional sequential intravenous push of the same substance/drug provided in a facility)—that are done during observation stays and exceed the medically unlikely edits number. What is the correct way to bill these and get paid?
I've noticed some conflicting information in CPT Assistant and NCCI edits for CPT code 29874 (knee arthroscopy with removal of loose/foreign body). Do the NCCI edits override the advice in CPT Assistant?
Q: When reporting multiple separate infusions of the same substance or drug provided through the same IV site during one visit, should we add up the total time and then report the appropriate codes?
