Attend An Ambulatory Surgery Center Coding Conference & Do Away With Denials

By Author: Julia Rose
Total Articles: 89
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Do you think the same post-op and incomplete procedure modifiers apply regardless of whether you're coding for an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or a physician? Focusing on the following variations will help you avoid disaster in your coding.


Change postoperative surgery coding after day 1


Every procedure billed by the Ambulatory Surgery Center has a same day global period, which makes sense because the Ambulatory Surgery Center is reporting only facility fees and not reporting physician work services. Remember that this applies to the coder working for the Ambulatory Surgery Center but not the physician who carried out the service.


Think about using modifier SG on non-Medicare claims


If you code for an ASC and you're billing a non-Medicare payer for any service carried out in the ASC, you may need to add modifier SG (ASC facility service). If it is so required, remember to add modifier SG to every code listed on the claim, not just the first code.


Take ASC discontinued coding one step ahead


...
... If you're coding for an ASC, you can expect a slightly different procedure modifier repertoire than a physician coder makes use of. In an ASC, you may occasionally use modifier 52 (reduced services) but you won't make use of modifier 53 (discontinued procedure).


Instead, ASC coders have to make an additional distinction that physician coders don't have to make.


To get more updates and insight on ambulatory surgery center coding, go for ambulatory surgery center coding seminars and conferences.


In fact, there's an ambulatory surgery center coding conference coming up in Orlando, FL this December where you can head to and make the most of your specialty. So get going.

Gain knowledge about medical coding and ambulatory surgery coding audio conferences with premier coding experts, CDs, tapes and transcripts of coding training information by specialty.