Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement - 2013 Issue 7
You Be the Coder: Don't Be Blind To Reporting An E/M Code With An Eye FBR
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Article Overview
This article reviews an emergency department chart involving eye irritation, suspected foreign body, corneal abrasion, and foreign body removal. It explains the documentation context behind reporting both a procedure and an evaluation and management service, and it is aimed at coders who work with ED, ophthalmic injury, and procedure/E&M bundling scenarios.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps coders recognize when the encounter documentation supports reporting more than one service in an emergency setting, which affects claim accuracy and compliance.
Article Sections
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Question
Introduces a coding question about an emergency department eye injury encounter and the relationship between reported services.
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Chief complaint and history
Summarizes the presenting eye symptoms and the relevant history surrounding the workplace injury.
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Physical examination and procedure
Describes the documented exam findings and the foreign body removal attempt performed during the visit.
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Assessment and plan
Outlines the recorded diagnoses and the follow-up and medication plan after treatment.
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Answer
States the reported services and summarizes the documentation rationale at a high level.
What You Will Learn
- How an emergency department eye foreign body encounter is documented
- How the exam and procedure portions of the visit are presented in the chart
- How the article frames the relationship between an E/M service and a procedure
- What general documentation elements are highlighted in the coding discussion
Who Should Read This
- Emergency department coders
- Outpatient professional fee coders
- Ophthalmology coders
- Coding auditors
- Revenue cycle staff
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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