Pre-op Testing

What CPT code do we need to use to bill for Pre-op (medical clearance)?

Pre op

It can be billed as either a Consult or an Office visit depending on the doctors documentation. Does the doctor have a request for a consult and was an opinion rendered? If so, code as a consult to the level the documentation supports. If the patient was told to go to their primary doctor for a pre-op physical, no request for a specific doctor to do it, then code it as an office visit (new or established) and be sure to use the pre-op diagnosis code with the office visit, one of three dx codes: V72.81 for pre-op cardiovascular procedure; V72.82 for pre-op respiratory procedure; V72.83 for pre-op other specified procedure.
There is another diagnosis code V72.84 for Pre-op, unspecified but really...who is going to have surgery and not know what type of surgery they are having. Most fall under V72.83 (other).
SRC

V Codes (medical clearance for pre-op)

If the patient is diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel, and goes to her PCP for medical clearance for pre-op. The patient had a consultation, blood work, and an EKG the dx on the super bill is V72.82 is this correct? Should the dx be V72.83? Does the code V72.82 mean that a patient is having a type of surgery that has to do with the heart?

Pre-Op

When you report a physician ordered consultation for preoperative clearance, use the appropriate CPT code for the level of service and setting where the consultation services were rendered as well as diagnosis codes that indicate the necessity of the consultation. Select the appropriate ICD-9 code from the V72.81- V72.84 series (V72.81 for preoperative cardiovascular exam, V72.82 for a preoperative respiratory exam, V72.83 for another specified preoperative exam or V72.84 for an unspecified preoperative exam) as primary and a second diagnosis code to indicate the condition for which surgery is intended. Also code any diagnoses that arise during your consultation.
If the only diagnosis is Carpal Tunnel, have the patient sign an ABN because there may be a denial for a medically necessary medical opinion in absence of another condition (ex, lung or cardio problem) that may pose a risk to patient.