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Rheumatology Coding Corner Answer: Knee Osteoarthritis

From the College  |  Issue: May 2015  |  May 15, 2015

ICD-9 715.16, 528.02, E943.8

(click for larger image)

Diagnoses: ICD-9 715.16, 528.02, E943.8

ICD-10 M17.11, K12.32, T39.395A

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This was an established patient visit with a new diagnosis. Because the PA sought out the physician to address the new problem and document the assessment and treatment, the visit can still be billed as incident-to. Note: The physician initiated the plan of care for treatment of the patient’s osteoarthritis, but her queasiness is a new problem noted as previously evaluated by the physician. If the PA had not included the physician input, the service could not have been billed as incident-to, but instead would have to be billed under his/her own PIN. If audited, the service would be denied as, “Payment adjusted as not furnished directly to the patient and/or not documented.”

History: Detailed history

  • History of present illness contained six elements: location, duration, timing, severity, context and modifying factors.
  • Review of symptoms contained two elements: musculoskeletal and gastric.
  • Past family, social history—the past medical history was taken.

Examination: Detailed examination

  • Five systems were examined: constitutional, cardiovascular, gastric, musculoskeletal and respiratory.

Medical decision making: Moderate

  • One stable problem improving and one new problem without workup—extended.
  • No data review or ordered—minimal.
  • Prescription drug management—moderate.

For questions or additional information on coding and billing, contact Melesia Tillman, CPC, CPC-I, CRHC, CHA, at [email protected] or 404-633-3777 x820.

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Filed under:Billing/CodingFrom the CollegePractice Support Tagged with:BillingCodingOsteoarthritisPractice Managementrheumatologist

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