| The last six months have seen a lot of action in | | | | consultative work; it just means that you will now |
| the health care sector - be it healthcare reform, | | | | have to bill these services differently. But it will be |
| proposed Medicare cuts, the Red Flag Rule, and | | | | a tall ask figuring out which codes to use and |
| the like. But the topic that’s of utmost | | | | which codes you should discard. Here are a few |
| concern for all has been Medicare’s decision | | | | examples of the changes that you should be |
| to do away with consultation codes as this may | | | | aware of: |
| have a great impact on many practices. | | | | • Consultation codes 99241-99245 (outpatient |
| Consultation codes 2010: Consultation services are | | | | office) and 99251-99255 have been eliminated |
| E&M services that are provided by | | | | while telehealth consultation G-codes |
| physicians, based on a request by another | | | | (G0425-G0427) will not be deleted. |
| physician or appropriate source. 2010 will indeed | | | | • Effective January 1, CPT codes for new |
| be a year full of changes and one of the most | | | | (99201-99205) or established (99211-99215) should |
| important changes is this change. | | | | be used to replace consultations in the office |
| And now, since it’s official, effective January | | | | outpatient setting. |
| 1, 2010, consult codes will no longer be recognized | | | | All these changes are surely going to baffle even |
| for Medicare Part B payment. Following the | | | | the most seasoned coder. But a one-stop coding |
| announcement to eliminate consultation codes, | | | | website can certainly ease your work as far as |
| CMS has issued an article for providers providing | | | | making appropriate use of these codes are |
| guidance in this direction. | | | | concerned. So sign up for one today and stay up |
| But this does not mean that you can no longer do | | | | to date with all the consultation code changes. |