George Washington University, Department of Emergency Medicine Subject Matter Expert ACEP Panel for quality measure development.
Beyond E/M: How to Code for the Most
Common ED Procedures
Discuss coding challenges related to high RVU emergency medicine procedures
Idenitfy the key apsects of documentation that impact procedure code selection
Review specific emergency medicine procedures and their documentation requirements including abscesses, fracture care and advanced airway tools 1/16/2015
8:00:00 AM-9:00:00 AM FR-010
Las Vegas Ballroom DISCLOSURES:
(*) Ownership Interest: President Logix
January 15-16, 2015
Las Vegas, NV
Advanced Procedure Coding for
Emergency Medicine
January 15-16, 2015
The Most Common ED
Procedures
Michael A. Granovsky MD CPC FACEP
President LogixHealth
▪
Defined as global period < 10 days
▪
Most have a clinically meaningful separate and
distinct service to bill and add –25 modifier to
E/M code
▪
“Visits on the same day as a minor procedure
by the same physician are included in the
payment for the procedure unless a
significantly separately identifiable service is
also performed”
Medicare Minor Procedures (1)
“For example: a visit on the same day could be properly
billed in addition to suturing a scalp wound if a full
neurological examination is made.
Billing for a visit would not be appropriate if the
physician only identified the need for sutures and
confirmed allergy and immunization status”
Medicare Carriers Manual Section 4821
Medicare Minor Procedures (2)
Separately Identifiable Service
▪
No need to add a modifier for reduced
services for minor procedures such as
lacerations where suture removal is
uncertain.
“Physicians who provide follow‐up services for minor procedures performed in the ED bill the appropriate office visit code. The physician who performs the ER service bills for the surgical procedure without a modifier.” MCM Section 4822Medicare Procedures Follow Up
▪
Defined as global period of 90 days
▪
Typically fracture care and dislocations
in the ED.
▪
Use modifier 57 on the E/M
”Instruct billers to use modifier 57 (decision for
surgery) to identify a visit that results in the
decision to perform surgery.”
MCM Section 4822
Medicare Major Procedures
0 Day 10 Day 90 Day
Simple Lacerations (12001‐ 12018)
Abscess Drainage (10060‐10061)
Fracture Care
Intubation (31500) Intmdt. Laceration (12031‐12057)
Dislocations
Epistaxis (i.e. 30901‐30905)
Medicare Global Periods In Flux
2015 Rule proposes 10 day and 90 day to Zero day global 2017 and 2018
What are the reimbursement issues for
Teaching Physicians working with
residents?
Procedures – Minor surgical procedures ( < 5 minutes), the TP must be physically present during the entire service. – Major procedures (> 5 minutes), the teaching physician must be physically present during the ʺkey portion(s)ʺ of the service and must be immediately available to furnish service during the entire procedure.Teaching Physicians
How can I ensure that all the RVUs
are captured for PA visits?
▪ Governed by CMS Transmittal 1776 – Applies to Medicare and payers that credential PAs – Increasingly Medicaid, BCBS, Aetna ▪ Attending documents a clinically meaningful face to face interaction with the patient may use the MD’s NPI number…paid at 100% – Only co‐signed then use the PA’s NPI…paid at 85% ▪ Does not apply to procedures – PA procedures typically billed out under the PAMid Level Providers
▪ Code 92950…5.33RVUs + E/M Level ~10 RVUS ▪ “CPR involves the provision of cardiac life support including chest compressions and ventilation of the patient” ACEP FAQ ▪ “The physician may report 92950 whether actually performing compressions or directing these activities while other staff performs CPR.” AMA Policy Statement ▪ Document a note, sign the code sheet – Make sure part of the chart export – Typically associated with a high level E/M service – Document Hx caveat – Review EMS, NH notes, all that is available
CPR
Airway Tools
Common Nomenclature Glidescope Ranger Shikani McGrath Storz Pentax/Airway ScopeLaryngeal Masked Airway
• LMA +intubation =
31500
▪ 31500 Intubation, endotracheal, emergency – 31500 3.13 RVUS – Includes video: glide, ranger etc… – Optical stylets ▪ LMA‐ no separate codeEndotracheal Intubation
▪
78 year old with COPD presents in
respiratory failure. SaO2 is 77% and
patient requires intubation.
▪
31500 Intubation, endotracheal, emergent
Intubation With Videoscope
Procedure: Intubation utilizing glidescope. 7.5 Fr ET , 21 cm at the lip. Tolerated well. Bilateral breath sounds, positive end tidal CO2 color change. CXR pending. Sats now 88% and improving. Versed, Propofol drip, vent settings as documentedFiber Optic Laryngoscopy
31575 Laryngoscopy, flexible
fiberoptic; diagnostic
315752.19 RVUs CCI edit with intubation▪
31622 Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, with or
without fluoroscopic guidance; diagnostic, with
or without cell washing (separate procedure)
– 31622 4.17RVUs – No CCI edit with intubationBronchoscopy
▪
Pt presents to ED after MVA in respiratory
arrest. Unable to be intubated by EMTs. ED
MD performs Emergent cricothyrotomy
▪
31605 Tracheostomy, emergency
procedure; cricothyroid membrane
– 31603‐ tracheostomy transtracheal
Cricothyrotomy
Procedure‐ ER Physician: Emergent Cricothyrotomy. Patient unable to be intubated due to oral trauma. #15 blade used to cut down on cricothyroid membrane followed by brisk finger dissection and use of tracheal hook. #5‐0 ET tube cut short and inserted. Bags easily. Sats improving.26 year old male presents to the ED with a
moderate nosebleed after crashing his bike
in a peloton pile up. He states it has been
going on for 45 minutes while he finished
the race.
Crashed and It Won’t Stop Bleeding
▪
Anterior Epistaxis
– Limited Cautery/Packing – Extensive Cautery/Packing – Nasal Tampons▪
Posterior Epistaxis
– Packs/Cautery‐any methodEpistaxis
▪
30903
Control nasal hemorrhage, anterior, complex
Epistaxis‐ Complex
Inserted a 5 cm rhino rocket in left nare; profuse bleeding continued, pressure held, replaced with a 7.5 CM rhino rocket with maximal inflation. Patient experienced moderate discomfort but consented. Balloon deflated slightly for patient tolerance. Bleeding controlled ▪ Anterior Epistaxis – Limited Cautery/Packing 30901 1.62 RVUs – Extensive Cautery/Packing 30903 2.26RVUs…40% – Nasal Tampons 30903 2.26 RVUs ▪ Posterior Epistaxis – Packs/Cautery‐any method 309052.85 RVUs • Almost doubleEpistaxis Medicare Reimbursement
▪
Hip traumatic 5.16 RVUs
▪
Hip Post Arthroplasty 11.32 RVUs
▪
Shoulder 8.16 RVUs
▪
Elbow Nursemaids 2.67 RVUs
▪
Elbow formal 9.43 RVUs
▪
Ankle 10.45 RVUs
▪
Finger IP 7.20 RVUs
Joint Reductions …Giant RVUs
23650 8.16
RVUs
Shoulder Dislocation Reduction
▪
27250
Closed treatment of hip dislocation,
traumatic; without
anesthesia 5.16 RVUs
Hip Dislocation Reduction
▪
27265
Closed treatment of post hip
arthroplasty dislocation; without anesthesia
– 11.32 RVUS!Post Arthroplasty Hip Reduction
Can ED Physicians bill for fracture
care?
▪
The ED physician provides the same care as
the Orthopedist
– Must be the same – Not a temporary measure but the same ultimate care provided by the specialist▪
Clinically fractures require a spectrum of care:
– Strictly supportive measures and pain control – Splinting – Operative fixation – CastingTypical group $100,000
Definitive Care
▪ Fingers 5.2 RVUs ▪ Toes 3.5 RVUs ▪ Clavicle 6.3 RVUs Write a definitive care note‐ codes are from the surgical section of CPT If reporting the fracture care the splinting or strapping code is not separately coded Append the ‐54 if not performing all the follow up
Fractures Generally Involving
ED Definitive Care
29▪
Code for all
manipulations
▪
Use the without
anesthesia codes
▪
Splint is bundled
▪
Extremely high RVUs
Fracture Manipulation
▪
Fingers 5.21 RVUs
– 26720 Closed treatment of phalangeal shaft fracture, proximal or middle phalanx, finger or thumb; without manipulation, each – 267505.21 distal phal.▪
Toes 3.58 RVUs
– 28490 Closed tx of fracture great toe, phalanx or phalanges; without manipulation – 28510 3.45 Closed tx other than great toe; If reporting the fracture care the splinting or strapping code is not separately coded Append the ‐54 if not performing all the follow upFractures Frequently Involving
ED Definitive Care
▪
Clavicle 6.29 RVUs
– 23500 Closed treatment of clavicular fracture – Frequently involves a sling/sling & swath • Strapping not reported separately with Fx care▪
Rib DELETED
▪ 21800 Closed treatment of rib fracture, uncomplicated, each – Frequently involves pain control, s/sx for follow up or IS▪
Nose .78 RVUs
– 21310 Closed treatment of nasal bone fracture without manipulation – Frequently involves pain medication & decongestantsFractures Generally Involving
ED Definitive Care
▪
Capture with 25605 ‐54
▪
>10 RVUS
Distal radius fracture w/ manipulation
▪
18 month old presents in cardiac arrest.
Unable to obtain IV access. IO line placed.
▪
36680 Placement of needle for
Intraosseous Line
INTRAOSSEOUS INFUSION: The right proximal tibia was prepped and draped. A 16 gauge needle was inserted at a 90 degree angle and advance din a rotating fashion until a loss of resistance was felt. IV tubing was connected and flowed easily.
35 year old male auto mechanic presents to
the ED with a red injected painful eye. He
states “feels like needles sticking in my
eye.” He reports it started suddenly while
replacing a rusty muffler.
Painful Eye
Ocular Foreign Bodies
• Locationi – Conjunctival • Superficial • Embedded – Corneal • No slit lamp • With Slit lamp • Rust Ring/Burr Tx▪ Location – Conjunctival • Superficial 65205 1.25 RVUs • Embedded 65210 1.51 RVUs – Corneal • No slit lamp 65220 1.19 RVUs • With Slit lamp 65222 1.48 RVUs ▪ Rust Ring Burr Tx 65435 – 1.97 RVUs
Ocular Foreign Body
Medicare Reimbursement
I understand there is more
than one way to capture
intermediate laceration
services?
Documentation of location, length, and layers Location: 13 cm scalp laceration: 2.81 RVUs 13 cm Facial Laceration 3.78 RVUs…35% increase Length Cut offs: 2.6 cm, 5.1 cm, 7.6 cm, 12.6 cm…Measure! Frequently a 25+% difference Layers Simple‐ single layer Intermediate‐ 2 layer or heavily contaminated Frequently a 30% difference
Laceration Repair Opportunities
▪
Qualifies as intermediate:
– Heavily contaminated…extensive removal of debris…..or…. – Layered closure▪
4.5 cm chin laceration
– Simple closure
– Layered closure or heavily contaminated
150% increase!
Intermediate Repair Opportunities
▪
Extensive cleaning of heavily
contaminated wound 12032
– 5.54 RVUs
Laceration‐Intermediate
Intermediate Repair
Getting it all right yields 6 RVUs LocationLength Layers
Foreign Material
Patient presents after fall on gravel driveway. She was running and tripped striking her left forehead on the ground.
Exam reveals a 5.2 cm wound Procedure note: Laceration repair Location: Left forehead
Prepped with betadine, wound explored. Extensive cleaning with normal saline under pressure, debris removed. Wound closed with 4-0 vicryl and 6-0 nylon (7 sutures). Dressing applied.
4 year old boy is brought in by his parents
after striking his head on the edge of the
coffee table. He has a nearly full thickness
laceration on his forehead. The parents
want to know if you have “that glue
stuff.”
I Hit My Head
Laceration Repair: Dermabond
• Medicare:
• Single layer alone use G
code
• Multiple layer with deep
sutures use intermediate
repair code
• Other Payers‐laceration
codes
▪
Medicare:
▪
Single layer alone use G0168
0.80 RVUs
▪
Multiple layer with deep sutures use
intermediate repair code 12052 5.80 RVUs
▪
Other Payers‐ always use laceration codes
– Single layer face 12013 1.77RVUs – Multiple layers face 12052 5.80 RVUs 300% INCREASEDermabond Reimbursement
Our ED sees lots of abscesses.
Are there aspects of the
procedure that I should be
aware of when writing my
procedure note?
▪
Simple or single
– Furuncle, paronychia – Superficial – Single▪
Complex or multiple
– Probing – Loculations – PackingAbscess Drainage
Simple or single 10060 2.75 RVUs
Complex or Multiple 10061
5.09
RVUs… 85%
2
+RVU difference….typical practice 80
abscesses per month
Additional 2,250 RVUs per year!
Abscess: Medicare Reimbursement
Well Documented I&D
49▪
27 year old presents with painful swollen
area in gluteal fold
▪
10080 Incision and drainage of pilonidal
Pilonidal Cyst Procedures
▪
22 year old presents with painful lump in labia.
I&D was performed
.
▪
56420 Incision and drainage of Bartholin’s gland
abscess
– 56440‐ marsupializationBartholin’s Gland I&D
▪
Patient presents with painful hemorrhoid.
Exam reveals thrombosed external
hemorrhoid.
▪
46083 Incision of thrombosed
hemorrhoid, external
Hemorrhoid Incision
PROCEDURE: Local infiltration 3 ml of 1% lido with epi. #11 blade used to incise obvious thrombosed external hemorrhoid. Clots evacuated. Tolerated well
Soft Tissue Foreign Bodies
▪
Simple 10120 simple incision made, FB removed
with forceps 2.93 RVUs
▪
Complex 10121 requires moderate dissection,
perhaps X rays or C Arm 5.27 RVUs
▪
Foot no incision required
– 28190 FB in SQ 3.84 RVUs – 28192 FB in deep tissues 9.00 RVUsReimbursement Soft Tissue Foreign Bodies
Patient stepped on a cactus and had multiple spines in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the foot which the physician removed involving several small incisions. Should 28190/28192 be used to report this service? Since the FB was located in the skin and subcutaneous tissue and involved an incision the code series 10120/10121would be most appropriate. If the fascia was penetrated and the FB was within the fascia, subfascial plane, or muscle then the musculoskeletal codes (i.e. 28190/28192) would be considered
December 2013 CPT Assistant FAQ
55▪
Patient presents with complaint of foreign body
to hand that occurred while cutting bamboo.
▪
10121 Incision and removal of foreign body,
subcutaneous tissues; complicated
– 10120‐ simple also available
– CDR discusses dissection as complex
Foreign Body Removal
▪
Technique used
▪
Complete
Removal
▪
Destruction of
germinal matrix
– Phenol – Cautery – MechanicalIngrown Toenail
▪
Avulsion of nail plate 11730: 1.45 RVUs
▪
Wedge excision, skin of nail fold 11765
2.68 RVUs
▪
Excision of nail and nail matrix partial or
complete for permanent removal 11750
4.93 RVUs
Toe Nail Resection Reimbursement
▪ Patient presents with neck pain unrelieved by OTC meds. Osteopathic manipulation performed. ▪ OMT Codes: arranged by # of regions manipulated – Head, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, pelvic, lower/ upper extremities, rib cage, abdomen, viscera ▪ 98925 Osteopathic manipulation 1‐2 body regions – 92926‐98929 for additional # of body regions
Osteopathic Manipulation
OMT Region treated: Cervical▪
22 year old presents with complaints of
chronic neck pain. No relief with home
meds. Declines narcotics.
▪
20552 Injection of single or multiple
trigger points 1‐2 muscles
Trigger Point Injection
Contact Information
Michael Granovsky, MD, CPC, FACEP
President LogixHealth