Preoperative Exams / Use Caution, Document Thoroughly when Billing Separately

Article Overview

This article covers when preoperative exams and related diagnostic tests may be considered separately payable under Medicare policy, and why careful documentation matters. It is aimed at anesthesiology, surgery, and medical coding professionals who need to understand the general billing and diagnosis-coding framework for preoperative services. The discussion includes Medicare manual guidance, medical necessity standards, and the ICD-9 diagnosis coding expectations associated with these services.