Visio Graphics Summaries and Outlines

One Visio Graphic is a one-page IOECTR Project Overview The other is a one-page graphical representation of the issues. These include OBS, WALANT, SOSD, reimbursement, setup, accreditation and others. Also included is a more-detailed one-page explanation of the issues above.

One-Page Reimbursement Checklist for OBSS / WALANT / IOECTR

Below is a one-page Spreadsheet for establishing and obtaining reasonable reimbursement for an Office-based-surgical suite, WALANT and/or In-Office Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release. Last update: JAN 2022. This checklist is to help surgeons who perform endoscopic carpal tunnel release in the office setting (POS=11 / office) negotiate optimal reimbursement. Related terms… Continue reading

Step-by-Step Contract Negotiation Template for WALANT/OBBS Procedures

This is specifically for procedures that do not have a Site-of-Service Differential! There are at least 97 hand-and-wrist procedures so this applies to many procedures, not just IOECTR. This is a Step-by-Step Guide on strategies and approaches to negotiating a “carve-out” reimbursement for In-Office Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release with an… Continue reading

Orthopedic Procedures with a Site of Service Differential of Zero 2021

Overview: The attached Spreadsheet includes the detail for the following: Total orthopedic procedures = 1,645Orthopedic codes without a Site of Service Differential (SOSD)= 1174. 71% of all orthopedic procedures. NON-FAC NA INDICATOR = NA.These procedures are considered “facility only” and there is no additional reimbursement when performed in an office-based… Continue reading

Negotiating a Contract for IOECTR

Leverage: Identify your clinic’s leverage before entering negotiations with a health plan. How many surgeons perform ECTR in your city? Unique Services: Does your practice offer any unique services that will benefit the health plan and its members? Patient Mix: An OBS / WALANT clinic can accept patients not appropriate… Continue reading

Practice Expense RVUs

Practice expenses for services provided in a physician’s office include: 1.            Clinical Staff Time 2.            The Equipment 3.            Supplies Typically Used During A Procedure 4.            Indirect Expenses Of A Physician Practice Such As Administrative Staff 5.            Building Space 6.            Office Supplies Considered overhead or “facility fees” whether NON-FAC PE is… Continue reading

Site of Service Differential 10 Day Global Procedures (Facility PE RVU’s

This list is our 10-day global procedures with comparable Facility PE RVU’s (7.14) to code 29848. CPT Description Global NON FAC PE RVU FAC PE RVU WORK RVU MALPR TOT NON FAC RVU TOT RVU TOT FAC RVU 58661 Laparoscopy remove adnexa 10   5.71 11.35 1.8     18.86… Continue reading

Site of Service Differential 10-Day Global Procedures

This is an interesting list. Based on comparable Work RVU’s to ECTR (code 29848) of 6.39 and technically considered “minor surgery” there are significant facility fees associated with most of them—higher in fact than those of our comparable 90-day global list. CPT Description NON FAC PE RVU FAC PE RVU… Continue reading

10-Day Global Surgical Procedures with Comparable Work RVU’s to ECTR (6.39)

In our effort to compare and contrast different procedures I analyzed 10-day global procedures. These are generally considered “office” procedures. CPT Description Global NON FAC PE RVU FAC PE RVU WORK RVU MALPR TOT NON FAC RVU TOT RVU TOT FAC RVU 11646 Exc f/e/e/n/l mal+mrg >4 cm 10 7.4… Continue reading

Surgical Procedures with Comparable Work RVU’s to ECTR (6.39)

CPT Description Global NON FAC PE RVU FAC PE RVU WORK RVU MALPR TOT NON FAC RVU TOT RVU TOT FAC RVU 24130 Removal of head of radius 90   7.06 6.42 1.21     14.69 29834 Elbow arthroscopy/surgery 90   6.55 6.42 1.22     14.19 58805 Drainage of… Continue reading

Surgeries with Comparable Facility Practice Expense RVU’s to Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery

The codes listed below have similar facility PE RVU’s to 29848. CPT Description Global NON FAC PE RVU FAC PE RVU WORK RVU MALPR TOT NON FAC RVU TOT RVU TOT FAC RVU 27087 Remove hip foreign body 90   7.15 8.83 1.81     17.79 40527 Reconstruct lip with… Continue reading

Surgeries With Comparable Total RVU’s to Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Below is a list of CPT codes from the Medicare PFSRVU database that have comparable total RVUs to CPT code 29848: Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery (ECTR). The Work RVU’s are also similar, most in 6-7 RVU range. CPT Description Global NON FAC PE RVU FAC PE RVU WORK RVU MALPR… Continue reading

Benefits of WALANT and OBS

Many hand surgery procedures such as carpal tunnel release, tendon repair and removal of masses can now be performed under local anesthesia alone, avoiding the use of sedation or general anesthesia. The technique—known as Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia, No Tourniquet (WALANT)—can be performed in the surgeon’s office. The ability to safely… Continue reading

Obtaining Non-Facility Physician Expense RVU’s for Office-Based Surgeries

That are currently assigned as “facility-only.” These do not have a Site of Service Differential. My name is Jeffrey Restuccio, CPC, COC, I am a reimbursement expert and I’m working on a long-term project with the goal of obtaining appropriate office overhead reimbursement (non-facility physician expense RVU’s or a “facility… Continue reading

Facility Versus Non-Facility Practice Expense RVU’s For 90-Day Global Procedures

For the purpose of this project and analysis there are two types of surgical procedures. Updated Sep 2021. Facility OR office-based Facility-Only 1 Those that can be performed in the office or a facility (ASC, hospital outpatient department [HOPD] or hospital). Considered “Facility-Only”. 2 There is a Site of Service… Continue reading