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Bundling Guidelines “Notification”


Hernia repair (43280, 43281, 43332, 43334, 43336) is considered an incidental procedure when performed during the same operative session as bariatric surgery (43644, 43645, 43770, 43775, 43842, 43843, 43845, 43846, 43847). Modifiers 58, 59, 78 and 79 (or XE, XS, XP, XU) will not allow additional payment when appended to these codes. 

Chemotherapy – Evaluation and Management services will generally be denied when submitted on the same date of service as a chemotherapy administration code. If a significant, separately identifiable service is performed, modifier 25 is used. Office notes must document the significant, separately identifiable service. 

Obstetrical ultrasound: 

Ultrasound add-on codes indicating multiple gestation will be denied when the diagnosis code does not specify multiple gestation. 

First trimester obstetrical ultrasound (76801) is considered to be incidental to obstetrical ultrasound with first trimester fetal nuchal translucency measurement (76813) unless there is a separate medical necessity indication for 76801. 

Office visit (99211) is considered mutually exclusive to 95115-95117 (allergen immunotherapy) and not eligible for separate reimbursement. 

Click Here for frequent Scenarios (Topics)


Coding Ahead

New bundling denials for 17000/17262

We’ve recently been receiving denials for bundling when we bill the codes 17000, 17003 with destruction codes 17262 etc. We have always billed these with the 59 modifier on the 17000/17003 and when I check the CCI edits it’s still saying that is correct. But now we are receiving these new denials.
Should I switch the modifiers and put it on the destruction code instead despite what the CCI edits say or am I missing something else?

Thank you!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

bundling capsular repair of hip following femoroplasty

Hello,
I need some help with billing 29916, 29914 and 29999. Procedures were femoroplasty (CAM lesion), acetabuloplasty (pincer lesion), labral repair, capsule repair which was done, i.e."complete capsular closure using Zipline suture..figure of 8 stitches tied sequentially with alternating half stitches…watertight repair of the capsule was obtained".

Can 29999 be used for the capsular repair or would that be integral to repair of the CAM lesion?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. :)

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bundling Issues

I received a denial which they performed 29580 and 11042 which the letter (from BCBS) states that these code cannot be coded together. I double checked in the book and not seeing any issues with those codes being coded together. A modifier has already been appended on 29580. Is there any documentation stating other wise? Thanks.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Hand/wrist bundling

One of my ortho docs wants to perform a thumb CMC arthroplasty (25447) and a proximal row carpectomy of scaphoid, lunate. triquetrum, pisiform (25215) on the same hand and in the same surgical session.
25447 and 25215 are bundled but I think I can use -59 to unbundle since they are separate procedures and separate incisions? Thoughts?

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

51/59 Nerve Block Modifiers – bundling issue

Hello-

I work for a neurology office – having some difficulty with a bundling issue.
On an extreme case I could bill for one patient:

64450
64405
20553
64615
96372

How i was trained – typically I would use:
64450 – 50, 59
64405 – 59
20553
64615
96372 – 59

BCBS – pays for all minus 20553 – UHC pays for 64615/96372 and 64405 – but not 20553/64450
We have a lot of UHC patients so i’m wondering if anyone has any advice
I’ve tried leaving 64450/64405/20553 blank as i’ve seen suggested for someone else – they bundled – i’ve tried using 51 modifier, which then 20553/64450 was paid but not 64405

Appreciate any advice – thanks so much!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bundling procedures with catheter insertion/exchange

Insurance companies bundle urinary catheter insertion/exchange with cystoscopy when performed on same date of service. Codes 52000 and 51702 or 52000 and 51701 for example. Does anyone have any advice/solution? Should HCPCS codes be billed to prevent bundling issues? Should/can the patient be billed for the catheter if it is bundled with the cystoscopy?

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Novitas Solutions JL bundling of benign lesion of .5cm or less with closure

Medicare is bundling excision of benign lesion .5cm or less with intermediate closure.

Based on the CPT manual instructions that intermediate and complex closures should be reported separately, my physician wants to add a 59 modifier to the closure.

It is my understanding that Medicare considers simple, intermediate and complex closure inclusive when the removal of the benign lesion is .5cm or less.
The codes are NCCI edits and can be overridden by adding modifier 59 to the repair. Since the repair is not a separate encounter, separate structure, separate practitioner or unusual non-overlapping service, would modifier 59 really apply?

CPT’s 11440
CPT’s 12011, 12051, 13151

Please advise.

Thanks,
Camille Waterhouse, CPC

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bundling issue

Patient came into the ER and had I&D performed (10080). Patient came back to ER two days later as the abscess was getting worse and second I&D (10080) was performed. The insurance is now denying the second 10080 as bundling and I know this CPT has 10 day global period. The second E&M visit was paid, but can we be billing the second 10080 due to the global period?

Thanks!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum