4 Tips Position Your ‘Multiple Scope’ Codes Perfectly

Posted on 26. Aug, 2009 by .

Ortho coders: Here’s what you should do when there’s no ‘base’ procedure.

This week is the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s telescope, so let’s celebrate in our own small coding way and get our own scope coding correct.

If your physician performs several knee arthroscopies on the same patient on the same day, you’ll need to understand the multiple- scope rule to determine which procedures you can actually claim — and get paid for.

Important exception: Keep in mind that the multiple scope rule is a Medicare creation. The rule applies mainly to shoulder and knee procedures in the orthopedic practice, for example, but it also affects those of the elbow, wrist, and hip. On the other hand, it does not apply to ankle or metacarpophalangeal (MCP) arthroscopy, and it doesn’t affect arthroscopically aided procedures (29851, 29855-29856, 29888-29889, and 29892). In addition, some surgical knee arthroscopies are excluded from the family – specifically, 29866-29868.

ASC Coders: Discover bottom-line-boosting coding & billing tips at this Orlando conference this December.

Follow these 4 expert-approved tips to clinch your coding every time.

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