AMA CPT® Assistant - 2020 Issue 1 (January)
Frequently Asked Questions (January 2020)
January 2020 page 12 Frequently Asked Questions Evaluation and Management: Emergency Department Services Question: A patient presents to the emergency department (ED) for a suspected stroke, which is confirmed by imaging studies to be nonhemorrhagic. The physician orders tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) via an intravenous infusion, which the nurse administers. What CPT code should the physician report when the nurse administers tPA in the ED to treat a stroke? Answer: If the ED physician ordered tPA for a stroke patient, and the tPA was administered by a nurse, the physician should report CPT code 99291, Critical care, evaluation and...
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Article Overview
This article collects short coding questions and answers from January 2020 CPT Assistant. It focuses on emergency department, respiratory, digestive, and female genital system scenarios and discusses general reporting considerations tied to CPT procedures, postoperative context, imaging-enhanced endoscopy, and laparoscopic versus open approach issues. It is useful for coders, auditors, and clinicians who need to understand the scope of the guidance before reviewing the full article.
Why This Topic Matters
The page addresses common real-world coding questions that can affect claim reporting, compliance, and payer alignment. It helps readers quickly determine whether the article contains guidance relevant to emergency care, endoscopy, postoperative debridement, or laparoscopic specimen extraction situations.
Article Sections
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Evaluation and Management: Emergency Department Services
Covers a coding question involving emergency department care for a neurologic emergency and related reporting considerations in CPT.
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Surgery: Respiratory System
Addresses postoperative nasal/sinus procedure reporting and related surgical context within CPT.
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Surgery: Digestive System
Discusses endoscopic gastroenterology reporting for a procedure using enhanced imaging and biopsy-related coding context.
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Surgery: Female Genital System
Reviews approach selection and specimen-extraction context for a gynecologic laparoscopic procedure in CPT.
What You Will Learn
- How this FAQ page is organized by specialty and coding topic.
- Which broad CPT reporting scenarios are addressed in emergency, respiratory, digestive, and gynecologic surgery.
- What kinds of coding questions are discussed for postoperative care, endoscopy, and laparoscopic procedures.
- How CPT Assistant presents practical coding guidance in a question-and-answer format.
Who Should Read This
- Professional medical coders
- Coding auditors and compliance staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Physicians and clinical documentation staff
- Health information management professionals
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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