Dermatology Coding Alert

Proper ICD-9 coding for burn patients can require several codes.

Dermatology coders who cannot choose the proper diagnosis codes for each burn treatment patient could end up costing their practices time and money.

How? Let's say your dermatologist provides local burn treatment for a patient (16000, Initial treatment, first degree burn, when no more than local treatment is required). If the claim contains an inaccurate burn diagnosis code, or no diagnosis code at all, the insurer could deny claims for burn treatment based on lack of medical necessity. Snuff out potential denials by following these four quick steps to picking the perfect [...]

- Published on 2011-07-13