Chiropractic Procedure Coding Articles and Resources

For professional services/procedures billed to third party payers, which are reported on the 1500 Claim Form, there are two recognized procedural coding sets that may be used for HIPAA transactions: the American Medical Associations’ Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).

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Resources

Select the title to see a summary and a link to the full article.  some articles require a subscription to view.

UnitedHealthcare Updates Manipulation Policy

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth

UnitedHealthcare has issued a notice that there is a new Manipulation Commercial Payer policy which will become effective on July 1, 2023. Learn about the changes to the “Coverage Rationale” portion of the policy.

What’s Going on with the COVID Vaccines Now?

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth

Keeping up with the changes to the COVID vaccines has certainly been a rollercoaster ride and we now have two new twists to this exciting ride. Buckle up and let’s look at how this changes things.

Emergency Department - APC Reimbursement Method

by  Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS

CMS pays emergency department visits through a payment method using Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs). Most payers also use the APC reimbursement system; however, there may be some differences in payer policies (always review your specific payer policy). APCs are the primary type of payment made under the OPPS, comprising groupings ...

Billing and Documenting for Therapeutic Exercises versus Therapeutic Activities

by  Evan M. Gwilliam, DC MBA CPC CCPC CPC-I QCC MCS-P CPMA CMHP AAPC Fellow

Chiropractors treat, among other things, issues with the musculoskeletal system. Active therapeutic procedures are accepted as effective ways to treat many common conditions and therefore can be billed and generate revenue for a clinic. Two common CPT codes that might be used in a chiropractic setting include:

E/M Changes Coming Our Way in 2023!

by  Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS

Changes are one thing we can count on being consistent; even though this is one we have been anticipating, it is time to prepare, and we will have some work to do. The AMA released the new 2023 E/M Guidelines early to help us prepare for the change effective January ...

$636 Million in Overpayments Made by Medicare to Providers for Neurostimulators

by  Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS

According to the OIG "MEDICARE OVERPAID MORE THAN $636 MILLION FOR NEUROSTIMULATOR IMPLANTATION SURGERIES." So often we think if we get paid, we must be doing it right, well this is not always the case. You may get paid and then have to return the funds if billed incorrectly or a step ...

Coding for a Performance of an X-ray Service vs. Counting the Work as a Part of MDM

by  Stephanie Allard, CPC CEMA RHIT

When x-rays are audited on the same date as an E/M encounter we have one of three decisions to make about the work that went into the radiological exam when the practice owns x-ray equipment and does their own interpretations internally. First, we must determine whether the x-ray was...

Changes in RPM for 2021! Now, Wait for it... New RTM Codes for 2022

by  Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS

Remote physiologic monitoring and clinical data monitoring is a relatively new concept thriving and growing as an essential component for telehealth services. According to global consumer trends, a company called Dynata reported, "Among the 39% of people who consulted a healthcare professional, two-thirds used telemedicine, many of them for the first time ...

Understanding ASCs and APCs: Indicators and Place of Service

by  Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS

The decision regarding the most appropriate care setting for a given surgical procedure is determined by the physician based on the patient's individual clinical needs and preferences. Of course, there is a difference in reimbursement, and the billing depends on where the procedure took place, such as an office setting, inpatient ...

Watch out for New ICD-10-CM Codes

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth

New ICD Codes for: Low Back Pain, Cervicogenic Headache, Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), and Social Determinations of Health (SDOH). These codes became effective on October 1, 2021.

Injection Services

by  Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS

Injection Service Codes Injection service codes, are reported under administration of vaccines/toxoids, using 96372, 90460, 90461, 90471, 90472, 0001A, 0002A, 0003A, 0011A, 0012A, 0021A, 0022A, 0031A, 0041A, and 0042A. Other injections services include: Non-antineoplastic hormonal therapy injections – 96372 Anti-neoplastic nonhormonal injection therapy 96401 Anti-neoplastic hormonal injection therapy- 96402 Allergen immunotherapy - 95115-95117 According to CMS, do ...

Understanding How Place of Service Codes Work

by  Christine Woolstenhulme, QMC QCC CMCS CPC CMRS

The Place of service (POS) codes are used by CMS, Medicaid, and other private insurance to indicate where medically related items and services are sold or dispensed for a patient. POS codes are used for professional billing and are required to be reported on each claim submitted on a CMS-1500 ...

Medicare's ABN Booklet Revised

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth

The “Medicare Advance Written Notices of Non-coverage” booklet, published by CMS’s Medicare Learning Network, was updated. This article discusses the changes to this booklet regarding the use of the ABN.

Understanding Non-face-to-face Prolonged Services (99358-99359) in 2021

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth  and  Aimee L. Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT

Due to the extensive changes in office or other outpatient services (99202-99215), there are many questions which still need to be answered, one of which is related to the prolonged services without face-to-face contact. This article explores the question regarding the appropriate use of codes 99358/99359 and how to report it.

Intersegmental Traction — What’s Happening with Roller Tables?

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth

Intersegmental traction therapy via the use of roller tables has been used by doctors of chiropractic for many years. Recently, questions have arisen regarding the appropriate billing of roller tables. This is largely due to the statement published in the July 2020 CPT Assistant published by the American Medical Association (AMA). Which code should you really be using?

Comparison of Add-On Code Guidelines

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth

Add-on codes are codes that are not intended to be reported alone. They are reported with another primary procedure to identify that additional services have been provided in conjunction with that primary procedure. Generally, they include the words “List separately in addition to code.” Interestingly, there are some differences in the instructions/guidelines regarding the use of these codes in the CPT® codebook, the NCCI Policy Manual, and on the CMS website. This article outlines the differences between each of these.

Q/A: For E/M, How do I Count Tests Ordered in One Department and Performed in Another?

by  Aimee L. Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT

Question: I am in an ENT office as part of a large clinic with separate practices including audiology, CT, and allergy, all billing under the same TAX ID. Sometimes tests are ordered which are done in other departments that my office does not bill for, would those be considered an outside source? Answer: This is a great question and one that has been asked by many coders and auditors.

Evaluation & Management (E/M) Webinar Q/A

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth  and  Aimee L. Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT

Find answers to some questions asked by attendees of our recent webinar regarding the changes released by the AMA in their March 9, 2021 Errata and Technical Corrections document in relation to Evaluation & Management (E/M).

How Reporting E/M Based on Time May Lose Money

by  Aimee L. Wilcox, CPMA, CCS-P, CST, MA, MT

Just like math teachers who require students to show their work so they can see how the student reached their answer, providers are also required to "show their work" through the documentation process in the medical record. By the time a provider has reviewed the patient's subjective complaints (i.e., patient's ...

Critical Evaluation and Management Changes Recently Announced by AMA

by  Wyn Staheli, Director of Content - innoviHealth

On March 9, 2021, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced some pretty significant changes in relation to reporting Evaluation and Management (E/M) services, particularly for Office or Other Outpatient Services (99202-99215). The AMA Editorial Panel had previously met to discuss how to address concerns and made changes surrounding Office or Other Outpatient Services which are retroactive to January 1, 2021. Learn more about those changes in this article.

There are 141 related documentation, coding and billing tips.

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Select the title to see a summary and a link to the full webinar information.  some webinars require a subscription to view.

Modalities Used in Your Chiropractic Office 

by  Evan M. Gwilliam, DC MBA CPC CCPC CPC-I QCC MCS-P CPMA CMHP AAPC Fellow

Electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and mechanical traction are modalities commonly used in chiropractic offices. And they are commonly documented incorrectly or billed improperly. Learn the right (and wrong) ways to get paid for these kinds of services. Join Dr. Evan Gwilliam, certified coder, and all-around nice guy, as he answers your most burning questions about the CPT codes 97012, 97014/G0283, 97032, and 97035.

Medicare Audit, Do-it-yourself 

by  Evan M. Gwilliam, DC MBA CPC CCPC CPC-I QCC MCS-P CPMA CMHP AAPC Fellow

Don't wait for Medicare to look over your records and try to find deficiencies. Dr. Gwilliam, a Certified Professional Medical Auditor, will show you how to find your own deficiencies, and fix them before they become a compliance or financial concern. This isn't just for Medicare either. If you can…

Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment: Coding and Documentation 

by  Evan M. Gwilliam, DC MBA CPC CCPC CPC-I QCC MCS-P CPMA CMHP AAPC Fellow

The most commonly used procedure in chiropractic is the chiropractic adjustment, also known as chiropractic manipulative treatment or CMT. There are nuances to the CPT and ICD-10 codes and Medicare guidelines that must be mastered by any chiropractor hoping to find success when creating their…

Chiropractic Treatment Paradigm 2021 

by  Ron Short, DC MCS-P CPC

Chiropractic care is different from medical care. We know that but how do we explain it. Reviewers deny claims that are medically necessary because they don’t know what they are looking at when they review our claims. Dr. Ron Short will explain how to approach these reviewers in this…

Strategies for Improving Cash Flow and Collections - Starting Now 

by  Brandy Brimhall, CPC CMCO CPCO CCCPC CPMA QCC

August 18, 2020 Join this webinar for a birds-eye review of crucial components of your practice revenue cycle system. Inefficient or unattended revenue cycle systems result in a tremendous loss of time and money for practices. So often, that additional cash flow that practices are seeking, are…

Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment (CMT) Coding and Documentation (Part 1) 

by  Evan M. Gwilliam, DC MBA CPC CCPC CPC-I QCC MCS-P CPMA CMHP AAPC Fellow

The most used codes in chiropractic are 98940, 98941, 98942, and 98943. In this webinar, Dr. Gwilliam will go over the fundamentals of these codes and make sure you are proficient with them. They probably play a bigger part of your practice than any other code, so it is worth it to make sure you are reporting them correctly. By the end of this presentation you will be able to diagnose, document, and code properly for CMT, as well as avoid common mistakes.

All About Knee Coding & Auditing 

by  Find-A-Code™

Total knee replacement now acceptable ASC procedure also, not auditing for a year. Knee replacement coding, knee joint injections, auditing using FAC, LCDs, drugs, modifiers.

Evaluation and Management Coding and Auditing 

by  Find-A-Code™

Are you responsible for selecting or reviewing Evaluation and Management service levels? Do you wonder how well you know the rules and how to apply them? Join Aimee in this webinar to review and then applly the rules of E/M coding. She will also do a live demonstration of the new Find-A-Code E/M Calculator Tool to assess the level of E/M service for two office visits, one new (99201-99205) and the other established (99212-99215).

Coding and Auditing TeleHealth Services 

by  Find-A-Code™

Do you report or audit Telemedicine services now or are you considering offering them? Come and learn more about the rules and guidelines surrounding Telehealth services including, documentation requirements, eligible CPT and HCPCS Level II codes, modifiers, and the newest updates to Medicare Telehealth policies.

How to Check NCCI Edits Using FindACode 

by  Find-A-Code™

How to Check NCCI Edits Using FindACode

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