Questions for Dr. Stern
About Your Urgent Care Center
2. I just read in the recent JUCM, the Q&A on "Addressing Problem - based Coding and Other Challenges" and it sparked my interest with a new code. It is the first time that I have heard of the S9088 code. I have a couple of questions concerning the use of the code. I looked up the code in the HCPCS and it gives little to no description of the code. We are always interested in adding additional income when appropriate and this seems like a way to accomplish this. I am just not sure when it applies. The way it reads in the book this could apply to everyone that comes through our doors. Is this true or is it only used when extra supplies are used? If it is the latter, could you please give me an example? We currently use the 99051 code. Does the S9088 have any affect on the use of the code? Are they not to be used in conjunction?
99051 and S9088 are both separate add-on codes. It would be perfectly compliant to use them together, but you will have to decide what will work in your community (and with your payors). You are right that if you fit the definition of an “urgent care” (you could review UCAOA standards for accreditation, but there is no single national definition of an “urgent care”), then you can (I am not saying that you “should”) use this code on every patient that you see in the urgent care center.Many practices are having great success with this code.Still the number one financial issue in urgent care is achieving outstanding E/M coding. Very few centers are able to do this, and virtually every center I have audited is averaging a loss of over $10 per patient due to poor E/M coding. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
