SURGERY GROUND RULES

SURGERY AND FOLLOW-UP CARE PROVIDED BY DIFFERENT HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: When one health care provider performs the surgical procedure and another provides the follow-up care, the value may be apportioned between them by agreement. Whether the amount charged is for the procedure, or the follow-up care should be clearly indicated. The "global fee" is not to be increased, but prorated between the health care providers.

REPEAT PROCEDURE BY ANOTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: A basic procedure performed by one health care provider may have to be repeated by another. Identify and submit an explanatory note. 

PRORATION OF SCHEDULED FEE: When the schedule specifies a unit value for a definite treatment and the patient is transferred from one health care provider to another, the applicable Unit Value is to be apportioned between the health care providers. The providers involved shall agree upon the amount of the proration, and shall render separate bills accordingly with an explanatory note.  

MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: Supplies and materials provided by the health care provider (e.g., sterile trays, drugs) over and above those included with the office visit or other services rendered may be listed separately. The statement of charges will need to reflect any drugs, trays, supplies, and materials provided. Payment shall not exceed the cost of the item(s) to the health care provider plus 25%, or the cost of the item(s) plus $15.00 per item, whichever is less. Use procedure code 99070. 

 SURGICAL IMPLANTABLES: Reimbursement for surgical implantable items (e.g. rods, pins, screws, plates, prosthetic joint replacements) and which are made of plastic, metallic, or of autogenous/non-autogenous graft material are to be determined by cost to the provider plus a 25% markup above the invoice cost. A copy of the invoice(s) (date of purchase within twelve months of implantation) must be submitted with the bill. Costs of postage and delivery are not reimbursable.

SURGICAL ASSISTANT: Non-physician surgical assistants such as physician assistants or registered nurses, who are either certified or licensed by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, the Kansas State Board of Nursing, or some other comparable State licensing agency, may bill at 10% of the code fee. The code(s) must coincide with those of the primary surgeon who must be identified as the responsible physician. Such services are to be identified by adding modifier -NP to the procedure code. 

Additionally, bills for any other surgical services (i.e. repair of a minor laceration) provided by non-physicians such as physician assistants or registered nurses must be submitted on the CMS 1500 or an equivalent form containing the same information. The form must also clearly identify the responsible physician.

OTHER FEES: The Unit Values for anesthesia, x-rays, laboratory procedures, consultation and other medical services, and office and hospital visits are listed in the following sections: Anesthesia, Radiology, Pathology and Laboratory, Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Evaluation and Management.  

MEASUREMENTS: When listed with a described procedure, measurements pertain to the original wounds or defects before any treatment is effected. The allowable charge includes creation of any additional defect. The necessary preparations for repair do not merit an additional charge. The depth of a wound is not a factor in the measurements when the described procedure is stated in terms of length or area. 

MODIFIERS: Procedure codes for surgery may be modified under certain circumstances. The circumstances are to be identified by the addition of a hyphen and the appropriate two-digit modifier code. Refer to Appendix A - Modifiers for a list of modifiers that may be used.

 COST CONTAINMENT: Nothing in this section shall preclude an employer (or insurance carrier) from entering into payment agreements to promote the continuity of care and the reduction of health care costs. Such payment agreements, if less, will supersede the limitation amounts specified herein. Please refer to K.S.A. 44-510i(e) for further clarification, if necessary.  

NATIONAL CORRECT CODING INITIATIVE (NCCI) EDITS: In order to promote correct coding methodologies and to control improper coding leading to inappropriate payments, the Kansas Division of Workers Compensation Schedule of Medical Fees recognizes the 2014 National Correct Coding Initiatives (NCCI) Edits as established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as the primary standard of reference. The NCCI Edits are not requirements, nor are they mandates or standards; they simply provide advice for correct coding methodologies. Bills must be itemized by procedure code, date of service, and amount of charge.