Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Application of air cast

The following information published in the most recent issue of Coding Clinic for HCPCS will change how we handle the application of a splint.

Coding Clinic for HCPCS - Fourth Quarter 2007 Page: 5Question 2
In the First Quarter 2007 issue of Coding Clinic for HCPCS, it was advised that if a splint is applied, it would be appropriate to report a CPT code for application of the splint regardless of whether the splint was off the shelf and/or prefabricated. I understand that items such as post-op shoes, slings, and ace bandages do not meet the criteria of a splint and are not separately reportable. How should the application of an air cast be reported? Does it meet the criteria for splint application or is this not a separately reportable service?

Answer
For hospital outpatient reporting, the application of the air cast would be inclusive in the code for the visit or procedure and would not be separately reported. The appropriate HCPCS level II code for the air cast can be reported when no restorative treatment or procedure (specific to that injury) is performed or expected to be performed.

For all Memorial Hermann Coders- Effective Feb. 27, 2008 we will no longer assign a code for the application of an air cast.

Tip: Don't let your Encoder do all the work for you!

Relying on an encoder can potentially result in an increased prevalence and incidence of clinically incorrect principal and secondary diagnoses. This can create an inaccurate reflection of the acuity, risk of morbidity and mortality, and hospital resource consumption and result in inaccurate reimbursement for the hospital.

Take steps to improve upon deficiencies in clinical acumen, include researching new disease processes on the Internet and requesting adequate clinical resource materials in the coding department. Coders who possess the drive, self-discipline, and initiative to take these steps will make a successful transition from an average coder to a clinically astute professional coder.