“I think it is time for this topic to resurface. Being a coder/biller for a number of podiatrists around the U.S., I am finding that some are still scheduling “annual diabetic foot exams” as a routine on all of their diabetic patients. They are then performing a “full physical exam” and trying to bill an E/M. Sometimes this coincides with callus or nail treatment, at which time they want to add the 25 modifier. Of course, I am telling them that Medicare does not pay for an “annual diabetic foot exam” and that it is not a benefit and as such should be CASH. Has anything changed?”
“Has anyone else noticed Novitas is not approving E/M codes for treating onychomycosis medically? I saw a patient for evaluation of a discolored toenail. She was concerned it might be a fungal infection and wanted to treat the condition before it worsened. I obtained an H/P, a specimen for culture and discussed treatment options depending on culture results. I billed CPT 99212 with diagnosis code B35.1. The EOB read $0 payment. Code 49 “These are non-covered services because this is a routine exam or screening procedure done in conjunction with a routine exam. Any advice?”
On June 29, The Department of Health and Human Services Cybersecurity Program released a news article on vulnerabilities in PACS Systems. PACS systems are Picture Archiving Communication Systems. These are commonly used for the storage and sharing of medical images such as radiographs, CT scans, and MRI images.
by David J. Freedman, DPM, FASPS, FACFAS CPC, CSFAC, CPMA
July 11, 2021
By mbrody
0 Comments
There was a very important question recently posted, “Since the global period for a toe amputation is now zero days, does that mean I bill for removing sutures in the office when I do a follow up visit in 14 days? Billing for this seems very uncomfortable to me.” As a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Surgical Foot and Ankle Coder (CSFAC) and as a Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA), I had to mostly disagree fundamentally with a colleague’s previously posted response.