How to code sports physicals
The sports physicals you'll perform for many of your young patients before they go back to school can be done at the same time you do regular well visits.
Key Points
Q: School is about to start again, and that means a number of my younger patients will come in for sports physicals. What CPT and ICD-9 codes should I use?
However, what you likely want but probably won't be able to get is a separate payment for doing the sports physical. That's because payers limit the number of times they will pay for well visits (not more than once a year; sometimes only once every two years, for children in the typical age range for sports physicals).
The author is a compliance manager for Baptist Medical Associates in Louisville, Kentucky. Have a coding or managed care question for our experts? Send it to meletters@advanstar.com
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