E/M Coding Alert - 2010 Issue 10
Fast Exam FAQ: Code Slowly or Risk Errors on 2-Part FAST Exam
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Article Overview
This FAQ-style article covers emergency department FAST exams and the coding topics that commonly arise when they are performed in trauma evaluations. It is aimed at coders, billers, and emergency medicine staff who need a broad understanding of how the exam is discussed in relation to ultrasound services, E/M reporting, professional component billing, and related documentation in a trauma setting.
Why This Topic Matters
FAST exams are frequently used in emergency and trauma care, and claims for these services can involve multiple reportable components. Understanding the article’s scope can help readers determine whether it addresses the coding and billing questions they encounter in ED ultrasound and trauma encounters.
Article Sections
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When would the ED physician perform a FAST exam?
Overview of the clinical situations in which FAST exams are discussed in emergency care. The section focuses on trauma and related presentations that may prompt the service.
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How Do You Code for the First Part of a FAST Exam?
Discussion of the first portion of the FAST exam in the context of emergency ultrasound reporting. The section addresses the broader coding topic for the cardiac portion of the study.
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How Do You Code for the Second Part of a FAST Exam?
Discussion of the abdominal portion of the FAST exam and related reporting considerations. The section also addresses professional component billing in an emergency department setting.
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Are there Any Other Codes on FAST Exam Claims?
Coverage of additional services that may appear alongside FAST exam claims. The section includes emergency department evaluation and management and a broader example of trauma-related reporting considerations.
What You Will Learn
- The general clinical contexts in which FAST exams are used in emergency medicine
- How the article frames the two-part structure of a FAST exam
- How related ultrasound services and professional component billing are discussed
- How evaluation and management services may be considered in the same encounter
- What broader claim components may appear in a trauma-related ED visit
Who Should Read This
- Emergency department coders
- Medical billers
- Compliance staff
- Emergency medicine clinicians
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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