Pearls and Pitfalls of Urological Coding

Urological coding has become more complicated and often difficult to choose the correct CPT codes because the coding manual (CPT) changes every year. Changes in the diagnostic coding using new ICD-10 codes also complicate the process. These coding changes have resulted in new ICD-10 codes, new CPT codes, many revised ICD-10, and CPT codes, several deleted ICD-10 and CPT codes for this year, and more changes to come next year. Many changes occur every quarter of the year. This session will review many important coding changes ("Pearls") and common errors ("Pitfalls") found in urological coding that often lead to claim denials and loss of significant revenue. Didactic explanations and teaching as well as specific clinical scenarios will be presented throughout the conference to bring to light these urological Pearls and Pitfalls which will allow coders to recognize the correct coding for the numerous different clinical situations that might arise for coding.

• Coding for repeat TURPs
• How to bill for treatments of multiple bladder tumors
• When to add additional ICD-10-CM diagnostic codes to insure payments for TURPs
• When a bladder biopsy becomes a TURB
• New coding for endoscopy and treatment of intestinal urinary diversions
• New coding for laparoscopic procedures without specific CPT codes
• What are the different codes for resection of a bladder neck contraction and when to use them
• What are the differences between a robotic/laparoscopic simple and radical nephrectomy and how to code for each
• Different prostate needle biopsy coding
• Difference between neoplasms of unknown behavior and neoplasms of unspecified behavior
• And many more Pearls and Pitfalls in urological coding

Urologists, non-physician providers, coders, billers, and all office staff involved in the choice of ICD-10 and CPT codes, authorization of services and procedures, precertification, and postings may wish to attend and increase their coding knowledge. The format of Pearls and Pitfalls will be of interest to all.