Has Medicare corrected cryoablation RVUs yet?

Q Have the RVUs originally assigned in November 2004 to 58356 (endometrial cryoablation with ultrasonic guidance, including endometrial curettage, when performed) been corrected so this set of procedures is now reimbursing more in line with other endometrial ablation methods?

A Yes. Medicare released a transmittal in February 2005 (http://www.cms. hhs.gov/manuals/pm_trans/R475CP.pdf) that outlines changes to the payment file that became effective on April 4, 2005. The nonfacility practice expense relative value was raised to 61.43 RVUs, which means the total RVUs for this code are now 68.63. The relative value for the facility setting is much lower, however, at 9.87 RVUs.

Ms. Witt, former program manager in the Department of Coding and Nomenclature at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is an independent coding and documentation consultant. Reimbursement Adviser reflects the most commonly accepted interpretations of CPT-4 and ICD-9-CM coding. When in doubt on a coding or billing matter, check with your individual payer.

Q Have the RVUs originally assigned in November 2004 to 58356 (endometrial cryoablation with ultrasonic guidance, including endometrial curettage, when performed) been corrected so this set of procedures is now reimbursing more in line with other endometrial ablation methods?

A Yes. Medicare released a transmittal in February 2005 (http://www.cms. hhs.gov/manuals/pm_trans/R475CP.pdf) that outlines changes to the payment file that became effective on April 4, 2005. The nonfacility practice expense relative value was raised to 61.43 RVUs, which means the total RVUs for this code are now 68.63. The relative value for the facility setting is much lower, however, at 9.87 RVUs.

Ms. Witt, former program manager in the Department of Coding and Nomenclature at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is an independent coding and documentation consultant. Reimbursement Adviser reflects the most commonly accepted interpretations of CPT-4 and ICD-9-CM coding. When in doubt on a coding or billing matter, check with your individual payer.

Q Have the RVUs originally assigned in November 2004 to 58356 (endometrial cryoablation with ultrasonic guidance, including endometrial curettage, when performed) been corrected so this set of procedures is now reimbursing more in line with other endometrial ablation methods?

A Yes. Medicare released a transmittal in February 2005 (http://www.cms. hhs.gov/manuals/pm_trans/R475CP.pdf) that outlines changes to the payment file that became effective on April 4, 2005. The nonfacility practice expense relative value was raised to 61.43 RVUs, which means the total RVUs for this code are now 68.63. The relative value for the facility setting is much lower, however, at 9.87 RVUs.

Ms. Witt, former program manager in the Department of Coding and Nomenclature at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is an independent coding and documentation consultant. Reimbursement Adviser reflects the most commonly accepted interpretations of CPT-4 and ICD-9-CM coding. When in doubt on a coding or billing matter, check with your individual payer.