Billing and coding guidelines for nephrology may vary depending on the specific services provided and the payer involved. However, some basic guidelines include ensuring accurate documentation of the services rendered, using appropriate CPT codes for procedures and services performed, and following Medicare and Medicaid regulations for billing. We’ll cover these in this detailed article.
Why Nephrology Billing and Coding Guidelines are Important
Like every other medical specialty, accurate coding and billing are essential in the field of Nephrology. Nephrologists must follow specific coding rules and ensure that the correct codes are used for billing purposes in nephrology medical billing. Hence, it is important to stay up to date on changes in coding guidelines and regulations to avoid errors and ensure proper reimbursement for services provided.
What are Common Nephrology Billing Errors?
Some common errors that can occur when billing for nephrology services include:
- inaccurate coding
- incorrect documentation
- failure to follow up on denied claims
- inconsistent billing practices
- lack of compliance with coding and billing guidelines.
Additionally, errors can occur when filing claims for services not provided, improper use of modifiers, and incorrect reporting of time-based services. These errors can lead to delays in reimbursement and potential financial losses for the practice. It is important for nephrology practices to regularly audit their billing processes and stay informed on the latest updates to prevent these errors from happening.
Guide to Nephrology Coding
Medical coding for kidney treatment requires following specific guidelines set by current procedural terminology. Ensuring accurate coding in nephrology requires thorough documentation of the patient’s medical history, including any chronic kidney diseases, dialysis treatments, kidney transplants, and other relevant information. This includes using causative codes for complications of care related to CKD, renal failure, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and hypertensive chronic kidney disease.
Some Common Nephrology CPT codes
Here is a list of billing codes that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with kidney-related conditions:
| CPT Code | Description |
| 50010 | Removal of kidney stone, open procedure |
| 50300 | Donor nephrectomy (including cold storage) |
| 50320 | Remove kidney, open |
| 50360 | Kidney Transplantation |
| 50370 | Renal Transplant, retransplantation |
| 90935 | Hemodialysis procedure |
| 90937 | Hemodialysis procedure requiring repeated evaluations |
| 90945 | Dialysis procedure other than hemodialysis (e.g., peritoneal dialysis, hemofiltration) |
| 90947 | Dialysis services other than hemodialysis, require repeated evaluations |
| 90989 | Dialysis training, complete |
| 90993 | Dialysis treatment, is not covered by other codes |
To ensure accurate billing and compliance, stay updated on the latest codes and regulations by the American Medical Association (AMA). Incorrect codes may result in claim denials.
Also Read: Benefits of EMR for Nephrology
Documentation Required for Accurate Nephrology Coding
It’s essential to follow documentation requirements related to nephrology. The required documentation for accurate nephrology coding includes:
- Patient’s medical records including medical history, physical examination, progress notes, consultation reports, and discharge summaries, include detailed information about diagnosis, treatment plan, and response to treatment.
- Lab results including all pertinent laboratory and imaging tests conducted for diagnosing or monitoring the patient’s condition, such as blood and urine tests.
- Pathology reports from biopsies or tissue samples taken to get a complete picture of the patient’s condition.
- Operative reports of any nephrology-related surgical procedures, including any complications or unexpected findings.
- Consultation reports including specialist consultations related to the nephrology condition, with findings and recommendations.
- Medication records cover all medications prescribed, including dosages and schedules.
- Physician’s notes include all relevant notes from the treating physician, such as progress notes, for a complete overview of the patient’s treatment.
- A treatment plan that clearly describes the approach to managing the nephrology condition, including medications, any necessary procedures, and scheduled follow-ups.
How to Improve Nephrology Billing Efficiency?
Consulting with a certified medical billing and coding company for nephrology can help ensure compliance with guidelines and maximize revenue for services provided by nephrologists. SPT Medical Billing can help your practice with efficient billing and reimbursement of rendered services. Our billing specialists can help nephrologists with each step of the coding and billing process. Additionally, we help reduce claim denials and provide detailed analysis of charges and payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICD-10 Code for CKD?
The ICD-10 code for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is N18.
How Do I Bill for Kidney Dialysis?
Kidney dialysis services can be billed by following the appropriate procedures for billing in nephrology. Follow the best practices and specific codes outlined in this article.
How to Handle Denied Nephrology Claims?
One of the effective ways to handle denied nephrology claims is to carefully review the denial reason provided by the insurance company. Once you understand why the claim was denied, you can gather any additional documentation or information that may be needed to appeal the decision. It is important to follow the appeals process outlined by the insurance company and provide any relevant medical records or documentation to support your case. Additionally, it can be helpful to consult with a trusted medical billing company or healthcare attorney to ensure that your appeal is effective.
What is the difference between CPT 90935 and 90937?
90935 is used for hemodialysis services provided by a facility, while 90937 is used for hemodialysis services provided by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.
