Dizziness Depot

How is a code valued? There are many more detailed explanations for those interested, but I will keep this post short and related to vestibular codes. The first step, as mentioned last week, is to proceed from a category III to a category I code once data is collected regarding usage and effectiveness. The coding language (or description of the

Development of a CPT Code As I have stated previously, “Technology moves faster than policy. On many occasions there are well accepted, clinically proven advancements in procedures that render the original coding language obsolete. When faced with this situation, the clinician must decide to: 1. Continue to perform the procedure as described despite having access to “a better way,” 2.

Clinical Decisions – Yes or No Last week, we discussed how vestibular function test codes are broken down into technical (TC) and professional (PC) components. Not all audiology codes are broken down this way. For example, basic comprehensive audiometry (CPT Code 92557) does not have TC/PC components. A code that does not have a TC component must be furnished directly

Technical Component = Technicians’ Work? CPT codes used for vestibular function testing are broken down into technical components (TC) and professional components (PC) reported with the modifier 26. The technical component covers the equipment used and the cost of the technician (if applicable) performing the test and is indicated by the modifier TC (e.g, 92541-TC). The professional component covers the

Just the Codes, Ma’am Diagnostic procedures used in the evaluation of vestibular patients are given code numbers so that they can be easily identified by third-party payers. These CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are five-digit numbers and are designated by the CPT Advisory Committee of the American Medical Association when there is agreement among the committee members that a new

I am not in the habit of endorsing products, and I have no relationship (financial or otherwise) with Jed-Med, but after performing more than 50,000 vestibular exams in the same exam chair, I gotta say, “This chair rocks!” We find that the Jed-Med S-II chair is an excellent choice for ENG/VNG examinations, as the chair can be reclined quickly for

Evidence For What We Already Knew A study published recently in JAMA confirmed something we have discussed with our patients many times over many years. We find that around 10% of patients referred to us for the complaint of “dizziness” suffer from postural lightheadedness associated with a temporary drop in blood pressure when they stand up. This condition, known as

My Soap Box Gets a Spotlight Last week, I was browsing through the 12,427th article about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more affectionately known as Obamacare. There was a whole section of the Wall Street Journal devoted to health care, and in particular, an article by Barbara Sadick titled, Emergency in the ER: Too Many Tests. As I read through

ACT NOW! You must register by 2/28/14 A few months ago, I posted a blog about impending surveys for the codes that make up the VNG exam. That survey was postponed at the last second to address some concerns about certain codes that are often billed incorrectly along with the VNG codes in question. That issue has now been resolved,

Last week I made a reference to “profit centers” that are marketed to primary-care physicians as an easy way to increase revenues. In case this term and this concept are unfamiliar, this week I provide a few examples of how vestibular testing and other medical procedures are being presented to primary-care physicians. The next two blocks are website excerpts from