Rehab

Choosing the correct ICD-9 code poses problems for therapists

Briefings on Outpatient Rehab: Reimbursement and Regulations, May 1, 2008

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Because CPT codes lead directly to reimbursement, therapists spend much more time discussing them compared to the time spent on ICD-9 codes. However, without selecting the correct ICD-9 code to diagnose why you are treating the patient, you’re increasing your odds of having the services denied by the payer.

“ICD-9 codes are a problem for therapists because they are usually not an area of focus in the initial training to become therapists,” says Kate Brewer, PT, MBA, GCS, president and owner of Progressive Rehab Solutions and vice president of the Greenfield (WI) Rehabilitation Agency. “It is something that is learned from an employer, or sometimes is handed off to a back office coding or billing specialist.”

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