Durable medical equipment, the medical equipment that a patient might use at home, is another example. Durable medical equipment includes things like an oxygen machine or a wheelchair. ICD-9 and CPT codes would be used in this situation. An initial ICD-9 code would be used for the child’s ear pain; once the test results came back, an additional ICD-9 code might be used, depending on test results. At least three CPT codes would be used: one for the doctor’s examination, one for the tympanocentesis (drawing fluid from the ear), and one for the hearing test. HCPCS codes would not apply in this situation. The child is not a Medicare patient (she’s too young) and she is not a Medicaid patient (her family has insurance). She has not used ambulance or durable medical equipment services. Therefore no HCPCS codes would be used. No matter what health care career you pursue, your training is likely to include memorizing at least some of the most frequently used medical codes. Understanding the basics of medical coding can help you when interviewing for an internship or applying for a job.
Durable medical equipment, the medical equipment that a patient might use at home, is another example. Durable medical equipment includes things like an oxygen machine or a wheelchair. ICD-9 and CPT codes would be used in this situation. An initial ICD-9 code would be used for the child’s ear pain; once the test results came back, an additional ICD-9 code might be used, depending on test results. At least three CPT codes would be used: one for the doctor’s examination, one for the tympanocentesis (drawing fluid from the ear), and one for the hearing test. HCPCS codes would not apply in this situation. The child is not a Medicare patient (she’s too young) and she is not a Medicaid patient (her family has insurance). She has not used ambulance or durable medical equipment services. Therefore no HCPCS codes would be used. No matter what health care career you pursue, your training is likely to include memorizing at least some of the most frequently used medical codes. Understanding the basics of medical coding can help you when interviewing for an internship or applying for a job.
sr_14.1_through_14.9_billing_medical_coding_privacy.docx