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
[email protected]
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.