Integrative medicine billing

[mhooyer]

Does anyone have any knowledge of integrative medicine billing?

[Michele]

No but what is your question?  I believe you would use the same codes as internal medicine billing, etc.

[mhooyer]

I have a potential client that has an integrative medicine clinic,  with multiple rendering providers, from a MD, massage therapist, nutritionist, all doing alternative medicine,  they do group classes, individual, etc.  The research I have done, mentions that medicare hardly pays for any integrative medicine codes, etc.  I need to know what codes if any do payers pay for and what type of procedures, therapies they can offer  and get reimbursed for.   Thanks for your help.

[Michele]

I think what it will come down to is the credentials of the rendering provider and the services that they perform.  For example, if you have an MD see a patient for an office visit then they would bill using the E&M codes even if they discuss things like diet, vitamins, exercise, etc.  However if a Medicare comes in for a massage by an LMT then the LMT would be the rendering provider and Medicare does not credential LMTs.  Some nutritionist services are covered by Medicare so again it will depend on the diagnosis codes etc.