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Orthopaedics Orthopaedics

E&M Coding Based on Time

Our surgeon saw a new patient in the office yesterday. His documentation supported reporting the E&M using time instead of based upon MDM. My question is about the time calculation. Today, he reviewed an MRI that the patient brought in this morning and he wants to add that time to his total time from yesterday, the date the patient was seen. The reportable E&M would change from 99204 to 99205 if he is able to do this. He thinks yes, since it was within 24 hours of his encounter with the patient. Is this acceptable?

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Use of Modifier 52

My surgeon was called into a laparoscopic operation that was already underway, to perform extensive lysis of adhesions. Does he need to use a modifier 52 because the patient was already “opened”, or can we just bill for 44180 Laparoscopic lysis of adhesions?

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