1. Medical Coding I – Week 1 Introduction CPT and HCPCS
Robyn Korn, MBA, RHIA, CPHQ

2. CPT History CPT – Current Procedural Terminology
Published 1966 by AMA (American Medical Association)
Until 1983 – only private insurers recognized CPT Codes
HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) developed using CPT

3. HCPCS Level I – CPT Level II - National Codes
Category I – Main sections of CPT
Category II – not mandatory; tracking codes
Category III – collect statistical data; temporary codes
Level II - National Codes
Used to bill for services not in Level I and supplies and equipment

4. CPT Updated annually Notifications sent in early fall
Effective January 1
Coding changes
Additions
Deletions
Changes or revisions

5. CPT Structure
Introduction – text, symbols, history and use of the book
Main body – 6 sections
Appendices (A-N)
Index

6. Six Main Sections Evaluation and Management - 99201-99499
Anesthesia , 99100, 99150
Surgery –
Radiology –
Pathology and Laboratory –
Medicine – ,

7. Main Section
EXAMPLE: Referencing the Surgery section of your book, you will see the following arrangement: (Section) Surgery (Subsection) Integumentary System (Subcategory) Skin, Subcutaneous and Accessory Structures (Heading) Incision and Drainage (Procedure) Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; simple

8. Symbols New code Revised code New or revised text + Add-on code
. Code includes moderate sedation
New code
Revised code
New or revised text
+ Add-on code

9. Guidelines Beginning of each main section
Define items necessary to interpret and report procedures in the section
Guidelines are strictly followed
Can also appear at the beginning of a subsection

10. Index Subterms modify the main term
Located at the back of the CPT Manual
Organized by Main terms
Procedure or service
Organ or other anatomic site
Condition
Synonyms, Eponyms or abbreviations
Subterms modify the main term

11. Appendices A – Modifiers B – additions, deletions, revised codes
C – Clinical Examples
D – Add-on codes
E - Exempt from -51
F – Exempt from -63
G - Moderate Sedation

12. Appendices H – Alpha index of performance measures
I – Genetic testing code modifiers
J – Electrodiagnostic Medicine Listing of sensory, motor and mixed nerves
K – Products pending FDA Approval
L – Vascular families
M – Cross walk deleted codes
N – Summary of resequenced codes

13. Resequencing
Codes are not deleted and renumbered to keep in numerical order
Aids in data maintenance and integrity
Limit number of additions and deletions
# indicates code is out of order or has been resequenced

14. CPT Modifier
A CPT modifier is a two-digit code that is appended to the CPT code to indicate that a service or procedure has been altered for some reason, but it does not change the main definition of the code.
Further describes the service performed
Level II HCPCS Modifier – two digit alphanumeric code
Reference: Understanding Procedural Coding: A Worktext, 2nd edition , Bowie, Mary Jo

15. Modifier Usage
• A service or procedure has both a technical and professional component. • A service or procedure was performed by more than one physician. • A service or procedure was performed in more than one location.

16. Modifier Usage
• A service or procedure has taken more time to complete than routinely would occur. • A service or procedure was reduced or increased. • Only part of a procedure was completed. • A bilateral procedure was performed.

17. Modifier Usage
• A service or procedure was completed multiple times. • An unusual event occurred during the procedure. • An accompanying or adjunctive procedure was performed.

18. Modifiers – Physician Services
Third party payers use different instructions for reporting modifiers – review the instructions when billing
Modifiers that affect fee are listed first
Important to learn pricing modifiers

19. Modifiers – Hospital Outpatient Services
Only some modifiers are approved for Ambulatory Surgery Center
See Appendix A for current list

20. CPT Level I Modifiers Definition of each modifier is in Appendix A
Quick list is found on inside cover of CPT code book
Currently there are 31 modifiers

21. Frequent CPT Modifiers
- 22 Unusual Procedural Services
- 24 Unrelated Evaluation and Management Service, Same Physician, During Postoperative Period
- 25 Significant, Separately Identifiable Evaluation and Management Service by the Same Physician on the Same Day of the Procedure or Other Service

22. Frequent CPT Modifiers
-26 Professional Component
-50 Bilateral Procedure
-51 Multiple Procedures
-52 Reduced Services

23. Frequent CPT Modifiers
-54 Surgical Care Only
-55 Postoperative Management Only
- 56 Preoperative Management Only
- 57 Decision for Surgery

24. Frequent CPT Modifiers
-58 Staged or Related Procedure or Service by the Same Physician During the Postoperative Period
-59 Distinct Procedural Service

25. Frequent CPT Modifiers
-78 Return to the Operating Room for a Related Procedure during the Postoperative Period Level II (HCPCS/National) Modifiers
-79 Unrelated Procedure or Service by the Same Physician during the Postoperative Period

26. HCPCS Level II Modifiers
Used with HCPCS Level II codes
Two digit alphanumeric
Use the website of insurance carriers and CMS for the use of these modifiers
Comprehensive list is in Appendix 2 of HCPCS code manual
Ambulance origin and destination modifiers

27. Case 1
Marty went to the doctor’s office with a sore throat and an upset stomach. The doctor performed an exam and evaluation of Marty. In the course of the evaluation, Marty mentioned he was having some back pain. The doctor also evaluated this issue and performed an osteopathic manipulation on one body region. The doctor reported a with a __________modifier and a for the OMT.

28. Case 1
Case 1—Modifier 25
Rationale: An Evaluation and Management Code (99213) and a procedure (OMT-98925) for the same day require a modifier to identify that two separate and distinct services were performed. Modifier 25 is reported with the E/M code.

29. Case 2
Dr. Albert is performing a complicated pyeloplasty on Kelly. Kelly was tolerating the procedure fairly well until her blood pressure began to drop dangerously low. After having trouble stabilizing her, Dr. Albert discontinued the procedure because he felt it would be too dangerous to continue. The doctor reported the part of the service he performed with a and a______modifier.

30. Case 2
Case 2—Modifier 53
Rationale: Because of the extenuating circumstances of the drop in blood pressure, the doctor felt it was in the patient’s best interest to stop the procedure.

31. Case 3
Jamie South was out of town playing football two weeks ago, and he sustained a broken ankle. He was taken to the local hospital, and Dr. Books performed a closed treatment of trimalleolar ankle fracture with manipulation. Today he is being seen by Dr. Thompson for the postoperative care for the fracture treatment. Dr. Thompson should report code with modifier _______.

32. Case 3
Case 3—Modifier 55
Rationale: Modifer 55 is appended to the code to report that the provider is completing postoperative management only.

33. Case 4
Mary Beth is a 19-day-old neonate, who weighs 3.2 kg and who is undergoing an arthrotomy with biopsy of the interphalangeal joint. The surgeon reports code with modifier ______.

34. Case 4
Case 4—Modifier 63
Rationale: When a procedure is completed and the patient is a newborn and less than 4 kg, modifier 63 is appended to the procedure code.

35. Case 5
Dr. Cook is performing a pulmonary valve replacement. Dr. Samson is the assistant surgeon for the case. Dr. Cook reports code , whereas Dr. Samson should report _________.

36. Case 5
Case 5—
Rationale: Modifier 80 is appended to the procedure code to report that the provider is the assistant surgeon for the case.

37. Case 6
Sam is a 10-year-old child who has had chronic ear infections for the last year. Today Dr. Abbes has decided that Sam needs to have tubes inserted into his ears. This is scheduled to occur in 3 weeks. Today’s visit was coded with appended with modifier ________.

38. Case 6
Case 6—Modifier 57
Rationale: Modifier 57 denotes that the decision for surgery was made.

39. Case 7
James Tree is a patient at an intermediate care facility. Today he is being seen by Dr. Rip because of a state mandate for the resident to be seen every 6 months. Code was reported with modifier ______ to report the mandated service.

40. Case 7
Case 7—Modifier 32
Rationale: When a service occurs because the service is mandated, modifier 32 is appended to the basic procedure code.

41. Case 8
Dr. Whoo interprets a MRI of the temporomandibular joint. This is reported with code 70336, appended with modifier ________.

42. Case 8
Case 8—Modifier 26
Rationale: Modifier 26 is appended to the code to report that the provider completed the professional component of the procedure.

43. Case 9
Drs. Jones and Smith work as a surgical team to perform a double lung transplant with cardiopulmonary bypass. Dr Jones would report code 32854, and Dr. Smith would report code Is this correct?

44. Case 9 Case 9—No, both should report 32854-66.
Rationale: Since the providers worked as a team, modifier 66 would be reported by both providers.

45. Case 10
Dr. Jackson performed a therapeutic pneumothorax on Sally Small and reported code Later that same day, the procedure was repeated. How should the second procedure be reported?

46. Case 10
Case 10—
Rationale: Modifier 76 would be appended to the procedure code to denote that the procedure was repeated.