2025 Gastroenterology Reimbursement and Coding Update (Virtual)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The discussion addressed various aspects of billing and documentation in medical procedures, focusing on distinguishing between major and minor surgeries, understanding risk levels, and the significance of thorough documentation. It emphasized the importance of understanding global periods, pointing out that 90-day periods typically signify major surgeries and influence risk categorization. Furthermore, the discussion highlighted the need for precise documentation to properly assess and claim risk, which can vary based on patient-specific risk factors.<br /><br />During the Q&A session, it was clarified that billing decisions, such as for ER procedures or consultations with modifiers, must align with guidelines and payer-specific policies. The conversation also addressed issues with insurance denials, emphasizing the importance of preauthorization and accurate diagnosis coding. Procedure modifiers, like 22 for prolonged procedures, require detailed documentation to justify additional billing due to complexity or time.<br /><br />The panel discussed differences between split shared billing and teaching attestations, and the procedural intricacies when multiple physicians collaborate on a case. Questions about billing for phone consultations and other non-face-to-face communications were touched upon, emphasizing that many billing codes, especially for non-visit interactions, are phased out or have specific requirements that must be met to claim them. Lastly, the effective documentation of procedures and understanding payer-specific guidelines were emphasized as critical for efficient and correct billing practices.

Keywords

medical billing

documentation

surgery risk

global periods

insurance denials

procedure modifiers

non-face-to-face billing