Medical Oncology Code Changes
ACOA’s Coding Corner – March 2006
Continuing Physics Consultation
The definition of procedure code 77336
states: “Continuing medical physics
consultation, including assessment of treatment parameters, quality
assurance of dose delivery, and review of patient treatment documentation in
support of the radiation oncologist, reported per week of therapy.”
In addition, the 2006 Correct Coding
Initiative (CCI) includes the following instructions: “Continuing medical
physics consultation (CPT code 77336) is reported ‘per week of therapy.’ It
may be reported after every five radiation treatments (It may also be
reported if the total number of radiation treatments in a course of
radiation therapy is less than five).”
While the review of the individual patient medical
record provides evidence of a direct patient service, this code reimburses
more services than the “chart check.” Code 77336 is reported each week (five
fractions) of radiation therapy and includes interaction with the radiation
oncologist, overall quality control, equipment maintenance to ensure proper
patient treatment. The continuing medical physics consultation is actually a
week of “physics management” similar to the physician weekly treatment
management code.
Watch for more
coding changes in the upcoming months. Review previous Coding and
Reimbursement Updates.
This Coding and
Reimbursement Update was prepared by:
Cindy C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H
Coding Strategies, Inc.
Phone: (877) 6CODING
Fax: (770) 445-0407
Cindy.Parman@codingstrategies.com
www.codingstrategies.com
Cindy
C. Parman, CPC, CPC-H
principal and co-founder of Coding Strategies, Inc. in Atlanta, GA. Cindy
is a current member of the Advisory Board for the American Academy of
Professional Coders (AAPC) and a faculty instructor for AMA Solutions, a
subsidiary of the American Medical Association. She serves as the Consulting
Editor of the Radiology Coding Alert
and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of
General Surgery Coding Alert and
Pain Management Coding Alert.
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