tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2003 Issue 1

Reader Question: Irrigation as Separately Billable Service

Question: Our physicians use "Foley irrigation" or "irrigation via catheter" for some patients with retention problems. They came to us from a small cruise-ship facility that already installed a Foley. Can I report 51700 for irrigating the bladder? Florida SubscriberAnswer: In your case, you can report 51700* (Bladder irrigation, simple, lavage and/or instillation), but notation from the physician would help your documentation. Payers may otherwise interpret your physician's work as a nursing function and pay accordingly. In the future, ask the physician to supply some wording in the procedure note as to why he's doing the irrigation. Regardless of...

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