| If a patient’s Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) | | | | (left side) and (right side). |
| treatment stretches into extended care, do you let | | | | Surgeries do not require pre-authorization |
| carrier’s strict guidelines stop your rightful | | | | Reality: As surgery is the last-resort treatment for |
| reimbursement? | | | | CTS, many coders recommend that you obtain |
| It’s a strict no no. Instead train your providers to | | | | pre-authorization to determine your carrier’s |
| document medical necessity by carefully outlining the | | | | limitations. |
| condition’s progressive nature. Here are a few | | | | It’s easy to use ICD-9 codes |
| myths which you need to keep at bay in order to | | | | Reality: If you thought ICD-9 codes would make |
| safeguard yourself against CTS denials. | | | | easy coding just because it includes only one CTS |
| There’s only one type of treatment | | | | diagnosis: 354.0, think again. Carrier policies complicate |
| Reality: Physicians do use a range of treatments for | | | | your situation. A stand-alone diagnosis of CTS |
| CTS patients. Sometimes the non-invasive | | | | doesn’t justify all forms of treatment in some |
| treatments can become invasive when the | | | | carriers’ eyes. |
| non-invasive treatments are non-responsive. | | | | An experienced and certified coder is less likely to be |
| Depending on the severity of the condition, initial | | | | bowled over such myths. For one, you can sit for |
| treatment may be conservative. | | | | AAPC”s Certified Orthopaedic Surgery Coder |
| Injections? A bilateral modifier is not called for | | | | (COSC) exam and obtain a COSC certification |
| Reality: If your orthopaedic surgeon injects both of | | | | that’ll not only give more bones to your coding |
| the patient’s wrists during CTS treatment, | | | | but also take your orthopaedic coding career places. |
| you’ll need to report it as a bilateral procedure. | | | | You can sign up for a COSC training camp to make |
| For this you can report modifier 50 or modifiers LT | | | | your task of passing the exam easier. |