Let Margie Scalley Vaught
“straighten out” the confusion surrounding the latest spinal procedure codes.
Spinal coding is difficult because it requires a thorough understanding of the spine’s anatomy so you can match it up to the confusing terminology in the CPT® manual. Plus, the ongoing CCI edits make it even more perplexing. For example, there are edits that will not let you use a modifier to override spinal manipulation bundled as a component of a number of spinal surgical procedures. That means that there are no circumstances when you may separately bill for a spinal manipulation procedure the same day as one of these spinal procedures – even if the two procedures address problems in different regions of the spinal column.
Let orthopedic coding extraordinaire Margie Scalley Vaught, CPC, CPC-H, PCE, CCS-P, MCS-P, ACS-EM, ACS-OR, give you the “straight” answers on which surgical codes have bundling issues, such as 63047 and 22612, and the situations in which you can report them. Straight Talk for Spinal Procedure Codes will help you get the most bang for your buck, and provide you with secrets to stress-free spinal coding.
- Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty are the talk of the orthopedic community these days, how can payers tell the difference between the two? With Kyphoplasty being more expensive, let Margie give you the tips to get full reimbursement for that procedure.
- Or maybe you don’t quite understand those cages and bone grafts – can they be reported multiple times? Yes indeed, and Margie will provide scenarios to show how you can.
- Having a hard time getting your arthrodesis and decompressions (22612 and 63047) on the same level reimbursed? You’re not alone. Find out how it should be documented to properly support the unbundling.
- And what about those spinal injections such as thoracic or lumbar nerve blocks? Also, can you report fluoroscopic guidance per level or per anatomic location? Margie will break down these procedures and explain all the ICD-9 coding you need.
- X-stop procedures and total disk replacement in the spine are often miscoded. Find out the best way to code them so that Medicare and your private carriers will pay the full amount you are due.
For detailed answers to these and many other spinal coding conundrums, tap into the unique expertise of Margie Scalley Vaught. Tune in to her upcoming audio conference, Straight Talk for Spinal Procedure Codes at 1 p.m. ET
on Friday, November 9th.
During this 60-minute audio, Margie shares expert tips and suggestions, as well as solid coding information to help you keep all the coding and documentation rules straight.
You get – in the presentation and the handouts – authoritative references to the American Medical Association’s CPT® manual, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society. Margie points out where CPT®, CMS, AAOS and NASSM policies and guidelines differ – and how that affects your coding/billing.
You also get a chance to phone Margie live to ask your own questions, as well as to listen in as she helps resolve some of the many coding troubles your fellow orthopedic coders face when reporting those tricky spine procedures.
Sponsors:
CEUs:
 Approved for 1 CEU (ACS and SCP) |
 This program has prior approval of the American Academy of Professional Coders for 1.0 Continuing Education Units. Granting of this approval in no way constitutes endorsement by the Academy of the program, content or the program sponsor. |
To find out about upcoming conferences and for a complete listing
of audio CDs, please visit www.decisionhealth.com.
One registration fee lets your entire staff listen in! Save
money - no travel expenses!
