Surgical Guidelines

What do Physician Services alerts inform coders about?

Which of the following is included in the definition of a CPT surgical package?

This care includes only the care related to the recovery from the procedure. What is this care called?

According to physician services alerts, what can the provider bill for if additional materials are supplied over the typically used amount for the procedure?

When more than one procedure or service is performed on the same date, session, or during the postoperative period, what should be done with the codes?

What does the term 'separate procedure' indicate in coding?

These codes should be used only when a more specific code is not available for use. When these codes are used, what is commonly requested by payers.

What type of service is indicated by a special report?

Under what circumstances are different methods of surgical destruction listed separately in coding?

The Surgery section is the LARGEST in the CPT coding manual and arranged by body system.

Physician Services Alerts

Alerts inform coders about billing guidelines and documentation requirements for various services.
Providers can bill for additional materials supplied beyond the typical amounts used for a procedure.

CPT Surgical Package

A CPT surgical package includes all pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care related to the procedure.
Care specifically related to recovery from the procedure is known as post-operative care.

Coding for Multiple Procedures

When multiple procedures are performed on the same date, the appropriate coding guidelines must be followed to avoid billing issues.
It’s essential to determine if the procedures are bundled or if separate codes are needed.

Separate Procedure in Coding

'Separate procedure' indicates a procedure that can be reported independently and may be part of a larger service.
These codes should be utilized only when a more specific code is not available for the procedure.

Payers' Documentation Requests

When general codes are used, payers often request additional documentation to justify their use.

Special Report Services

A special report indicates services that require additional explanation or rationale, providing context for the billed service.

Surgical Destruction Methods

Different methods of surgical destruction are listed separately in coding when they are distinctly identifiable and performed in unique ways.

Surgery Section Overview

The Surgery section is the largest category in the CPT manual, organized by anatomical body systems for easy reference.

Test your knowledge on what Physician Services alerts inform coders about. This quiz will cover the important topics related to coding and billing for physician services. Understand the critical alerts that assist in ensuring accurate coding practices.