Medical Billing Forum

Coding => Coding => : brandi March 14, 2008, 04:52:47 PM

: Billing Bundled Surgeon Procedure To An Assist
: brandi March 14, 2008, 04:52:47 PM
I have come across a charge where a 29873 and 29875 were performed.  Respectively, I have billed the 29873 under the Primary Surgeon and not the 29875 as it is bundled.

However, when I am billing out the Assistant charges, 29873 is not billable under an assist, but 29875 is (Per AAOS Guidelines). 

Can I bill the bundled code for the surgeon under the assist???

Thank you.
: Re: Billing Bundled Surgeon Procedure To An Assist
: Michele March 18, 2008, 12:00:00 PM
Even though you know both codes will be bundled, you should bill both codes anyway for the primary surgeon as both codes were performed.  That way when billing for services such as the assist the codes will be consistent.  In this case I would go ahead and bill the assist with both codes and let them deny the 29873.  As long as the chart indicates both procedures were performed, this should not be a problem.

Michele