8 minute vs. 15 minute rule

[Guest guest]

I have my own practice and have quite a few insurance contracts with differing

explanations on coding. Blue Cross and Blue Shield states to code according to

the 8 minute Medicare rule and the others don't say anything about the Medicare

rule.

As far as I am concerned, I have been coding my timed services for BCBS and

Medicare patients according to the 8 minute rule and everyone else according to

the good 'ol 15 minute rule. I see no problem with this since their contracts

state nothing regarding the Medicare rules like BCBS does.

So my dilemma is this, should I code and thus bill according to the contracts

or should I adopt the policy of coding all patients the same as if they are

Medicare? To me if I did the latter, it would be easier to code everyone the

same, but I would be leaving money on the table and add to the already

pervailing problem of trying to squeeze a nickel out of a penny to pay for

rising business expenses.

Someone let me know how you are coding your timed units for your patient mix

with differing insurance contracts.

Hankins, PT

President

Synergy Therapies,LLC

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