HCPro.com: Ambulatory Surgery Coding & Reimbursement Insider

Each month in Ambulatory Surgery and Compliance Reimbursement Insider you get more of our exclusive working tools: model guidelines, policies, forms, etc., that you can use to comply with OIG and HCFA, reduce claim denials, and get paid in full and on time.

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April 2008 (Volume 5, Issue 4)	view entire issue

CMS issues four new payable drug codes
As of January 1, CMS announced four additional C codes payable in the ASC payment system. These include the following: C9237-Injection, lanreotide acetate: Used for patients with carcinoid syndrome. The calendar year (CY) 2008 payment is $24.13. C9240-Injection, ixabepilone: Used for metastatic breast cancer. The CY 2008 payment is $64.54.

Break the chain of common coding errors
Editor's note: This article is the second in a two-part series. The cause of many common coding mistakes is insufficient physician documentation in combination with coders' inadequate knowledge of anatomy. To rectify these errors and achieve coding accuracy, it's paramount to open the lines of communication between coders and physicians about the procedures themselves, as well as make sure that your coding and physician staff members understand the current procedural terminology (CPT) guidelines. Gastroenterology (GI)

Solve knee coding procedure puzzles
Coding knee procedures can be confusing and challenging. This is especially the case when a physician performs more than one procedure during a session, because the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) unbundling edits come into play. There are three compartments in the knee-all of which coders must take into account to ensure accurate coding. This article helps to clarify a handful of puzzling knee procedures so that coders can avoid coding too aggressively or leaving money on the table unnecessarily.

Other recently-published articles from Ambulatory Surgery Coding & Reimbursement Insider:

Billing rules for devices can be different for each payer

Ambulatory Surgery Coding & Reimbursement Insider 2008 index

Medicare modifiers for ASCs

ASC tackles CFCs to avoid tumult in the future

Be a G whiz: Understand when to assign G codes

Medicare modifiers for ASCs: -50, -52, -58, and -59

Tips to tackle five ASC operational challenges

Understand the billing methods for different types of lenses

Check up on ASCs under the 2008 Medicare payment system

Choose the correct code when reporting SI joint injections

Implement a payment policy and stick to it

Don’t shoot your finances in the foot

ASC 2009 proposed rule holds few surprises

Tackle 12 important medical record documentation issues

Take caution with out-of-network billing strategies

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