decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2007 Issue 1 (January)
Ask the expert
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article addresses common coding questions from gastroenterology practice settings. It focuses on screening colonoscopy scenarios involving family and personal history factors, as well as how patient status affects evaluation and management code selection and consultation use within a practice. The discussion is framed around Medicare and CMS guidance and is intended for coders, billers, and clinicians who support gastrointestinal services.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers understand how screening and history-related documentation can affect coding and reimbursement decisions in gastrointestinal practice. It also clarifies how patient status rules and internal referral patterns may influence evaluation and management coding choices.
Article Sections
-
Screening colonoscopy scenarios and history-related coding
This section reviews several colonoscopy scenarios involving asymptomatic patients and history factors. It discusses how screening-related coding is handled in the context of Medicare and CMS guidance.
-
New versus established patient and consultation questions
This section addresses whether patients brought forward from a prior practice can be treated as new patients and whether consultation coding may apply within the group. It focuses on patient status rules and intra-practice referral questions.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames screening colonoscopy questions in gastroenterology practice
- How family and personal history factors are discussed in relation to screening-related coding
- How Medicare and CMS are referenced in the screening colonoscopy discussion
- How patient status concepts affect new versus established patient classification
- How internal consultation questions are handled within a specialty practice
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Medical billers
- Gastroenterology practice staff
- Physicians
- Revenue cycle teams
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.


Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com