tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2009 Issue 14

READER QUESTIONS: Physician Involvement Means Separate Cath Code

Question: A patient reports to the ED complaining of urinary symptoms; he says that he "hasn't peed since yesterday," and he reports a 7 on a 10-point pain scale. Notes indicate that following several attempts by the nurse, the physician easily inserts a "coude tip catheter" to drain the urine. Is the catheter insertion part of the E/M? Oregon Subscriber Answer: Provided the physician inserted the catheter himself, and the patient meets the insurer's requirements for catheter insertion, you can separately report it. On the claim, report the following: • 51702 (Insertion of temporary indwelling bladder catheter; simple...

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