Coding Question Rules (scroll down to click I Agree)

Questions are usually returned within 24 hrs.  In the event that Inga Ellzey is away on business, you will be sent a notice informing you of her return date.  Your fax will be retained and will be returned upon her arrival back in the office.

The Coding Question Hotline is for SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.  All incoming faxes are checked against our database.  If you are not a subscriber and would like to join, click here.

1. Inga Ellzey personally answers all the coding hotline questions related to the practice of dermatology only.
   
   She is the only one in our office who has the experience, knowledge, and expertise. When Inga is unavailable, please keep in mind that there is no one else in our company that can answer these questions. So please be patient and understanding.
   

2. This is a coding, documentation, and reimbursement fax service for dermatology-specific questions.
   
   Inga is not an expert in other specialty services not commonly performed by dermatologists or clinical laboratory services.
   
   What types of questions are not within the scope of the fax service?

   1. Credentialing questions about specific carriers

   2. Payment policies regarding specific carriers. We do know the Medicare rules, though!

   3. Fees schedules for specific carriers. We are not privy to that data. However, we can provide specific fee schedule information for all Medicare geographic payment localities
      

3. What about e-mailing your question? 
   
   Your question may be e-mailed. Please send your practice information, fax number, and question to:  codinghotline@iepg.com
   

4. What is IEPG's fax number?
   

   1. Hotline questions must be faxed to (407) 678-5751 using the pre-formated fax cover sheet given to your practice with your receipt.
      
      Be sure to include your account information. Do not call our office to ask the question.
      

   2. Your question must be faxed. or e-mailed.
      

5. What is your fax number?
   

   1. Make sure your return fax number is clearly identified and legible on the fax.

   2. Be sure the area code and fax numbers are both correct.

   3. Many telephone area codes have changed and our clients have not updated their fax cover sheets.
      

6. Our service is for subscribers only.
   

   1. Please be sure the subscriber to the service is identified on the fax   

      • If you have multiple physicians in the practice and only one physician subscribes to the service, please be sure the subscribing physician’s name is identified on the fax.  

   2. Please include your account number (if known) next to the subscriber's name.
       

7. About your questions           
   
   First, please use the form that has been designed specifically for use with our fax service.  

   1. You are allowed up to three (3) questions per fax.

   2. Questions must be limited to specific coding or reimbursement-related questions

   3. Please de-identify (black out) any patient name or Social Security Numbers           
      
      Please note:  

      • We cannot address questions that have to do with carrier denials.

      • We will tell you if the claim was properly filed (e.g., correct CPT codes, ICD-9 codes and/or modifiers)      

      • You must indicate if the service was provided during a postoperative period

      • You must let us know all codes that were billed on a given date of service, not just the code that was denied.       

      • I have no way of knowing every carrier variation around the country. We can tell you about major carrier decisions and/or tell you if your claim was filed correctly.
         

   4. We do not evaluate documentation to determine E/M levels of care or correct coding for procedures based on chart documentation.  

   5. Do not send dozens of pages from a patient chart asking us to audit the record, or determine “what’s wrong” with the documentation.

      • This is available as a separate chart auditing service and is not available as part of the coding question hotline. Our charge is $40.00 per date of service audited. Call Shari Greene at (800) 318-3271 ext. 222 to schedule this service.
        

   6. When asking about claim denials, provide supporting documentation

      • Copy of the claim (how it was filed)

      • EOMB

      • Denial message(s)
        

8. Conference calls
   

   1. Occasionally, your answer may require a return phone call from Inga for clarification. Please be sure to include your regular daytime phone number on your fax.

   2. If Inga writes, "Call me" on your fax, please contact her assistant Shari Greene at (800) 318-3271 ext. 222. If Inga is available, she will take your call. If she is unavailable, Shari will set up a conference call with you. There is no charge for these conference calls.