Medical billing and coding is nothing if not complicated. As a healthcare provider, you are very much aware of it already. There are just so many different guidelines to follow to get it just right. And, if you don’t, then you risk getting denied, which isn’t really the best thing for your financial health. So, in order not to get it wrong, you do your best to get properly informed about the different codes and to know when to use them.
And, there certainly are numerous codes for numerous procedures. For instance, the 20550 cpt code is one that you should absolutely be aware of, as you could definitely wind up using it in your practice. If, for example, you administer injections as part of your practice, to treat pain and inflammation associated with certain specific conditions, such as tendinitis, and other types of musculoskeletal disorders, then you will undoubtedly have to be familiar with this particular code.
Whether you are a new healthcare provider, or you still haven’t really gotten the hang of all the codes and the billing guidelines, then you surely have some questions on your mind regarding the CPT 20550. And, well, if you keep on reading, you will get a much better understanding on it all. Therefore, if you’re ready to get informed, I suggest you read on and learn what you need to know here.
Table of Contents
Understanding The 20550 CPT Code
We are going to begin with the very basics here, in an effort to help you understand the 20550 CPT code. In the simplest words possible, it is the code reserved for injection procedures. Typically, it is used when physicians administer therapeutic agents, such as corticosteroids into ligaments or tendon sheaths, in an effort to relieve pain or inflammation. This can be a crucial procedure for patients suffering from certain injuries and conditions, which is why knowing the code is so important for healthcare providers.
What Conditions Are Treated Under It?
What kinds of injuries and conditions are we talking about here, though? Or, to put it differently, what is it that you can treat under this particular code? Well, you can use the CPT 20550 for various conditions, including trigger finger, plantar fasciitis, wrist, elbow, or shoulder tendonitis, ligament injuries, as well as De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis.
Understand medical billing and coding better: https://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/medical-billing-coding/
So, if you are a provider who deals with those kinds of injuries and conditions frequently, the CPT 20550 will become hugely important for your practice. That is, for your billing process. Understanding it, and understanding the billing guidelines is, therefore, of crucial significance for you.
Billing Guidelines
Let us now talk about those guidelines in a bit more details. What is it specifically that you have to know here? Well, to ensure proper billing, you need to adhere to those important guidelines. First things first, you have to know that CPT 20550 is actually billed once per ligament or tendon sheath, regardless of how many injections you actually administer during the one session. If multiple structures are injected during that session, you may need to use modifiers to distinguish the separate injections.
Now, you may be under the impression that ultrasounds or fluoroscopic guidance is also included in this particular code, given that you often have to perform those during the examination process, and before the injections. But, that’s not the case. This is billed under a different code, so make sure to find the appropriate one, in order to avoid claim denials.
There are, of course, also some documentation requirements that you need to meet in order to ensure reimbursement, and avoid those denials. So, medical records should include the patient’s chief complaint, as well as the relevant history. Then, there should also be a mention of a diagnosis that supports medical necessity, as well as a procedure not detailing the medication used, the location of the injection, and the technique. Of course, a post-procedure plan should also be included. I know that this all can sound quite complicated, so perhaps you should visit this page to better understand the fundamentals of medical billing.
Getting Help With Billing & Coding
As a healthcare provider, you want to be able to focus on providing your patients with the care they need. But, the billing and coding work tends to be so complicated that it takes up a lot of your time. So, to get the best of both worlds, not sacrificing correct billing, while being able to focus completely on patient care, you should think about getting help with billing and coding.
There are professionals out there who can ensure accurate coding for you. Consequently, they can ensure and maximize your reimbursement. Your task is, thus, to find the right company offering these services and to let the experts lift the burden off your shoulders.
