Expert CPT coding guides, modifier explanations, RVU optimization, and ICD-10 tips — written by a practicing surgeon for surgeons, residents, PAs, and coders.
Why incidental appendectomy documentation needs rationale, findings, and surgical judgment instead of a three-word operative note.
RVUWhy CPT 15738 lower extremity flap reconstruction can change a BKA from 14.99 to 33.55 wRVUs when the reconstructive work is real and documented.
DocumentationWhy independent image review belongs in the surgical consult note when it changes medical decision making, operative risk, and the plan.
RVUA practical surgeon-focused guide to salary, RVU productivity, base plus bonus, and collections-based compensation models.
ModifierWhen an ALIF exposure surgeon is commonly reported with modifier 80 instead of modifier 62, with CPT 22558 and 22585 examples.
AppealsHow to appeal a downcoded or denied surgical claim with documentation, CPT guidance, payer policy, and a clear evidence-based argument.
RVUWhy incomplete operative notes make coders guess, weaken modifier support, create denials, and quietly leak surgical RVUs.
DocumentationWhy shorter, focused consult notes often support medical decision making better than long copied-forward notes filled with irrelevant information.
DocumentationWhy every surgical consult note needs a clear sentence documenting what decision was made, why it was made, and how the patient was involved.
DocumentationAn attending surgeon's framework for teaching residents to write operative notes that are clinically useful, complete, and defensible.
DocumentationA practical surgeon attestation example that supports personal involvement, independent MDM, imaging review, operative planning, and risk discussion.
ModifierWhy modifier 22 only works when the operative note documents substantially greater work, extra time, altered anatomy, and real technical complexity.
CPT GuideA surgeon-focused explanation of 0-day, 10-day, and 90-day global periods, what is bundled, and when modifiers 24, 58, 78, and 79 matter.
RVUWhere surgeons lose wRVUs through missed documentation, critical care underbilling, modifier mistakes, and multi-procedure coding problems.
ModifierModifier 25 vs modifier 57 explained clearly: when to use each, where providers get it wrong, and why the wrong modifier can affect reimbursement.
ModifierModifier 57, 59, 25, and bilateral coding mistakes that cost surgeons real money.
CPT GuideThe practical difference between IV infusion and IV push coding, including where 96366 fits and what documentation actually matters.
CPT GuideHow to code IV infusion and IV push administration without overcoding, under-documenting, or inventing time that is not in the chart.
ICD-10How to code postoperative complications in ICD-10 more accurately, including wound infection, hemorrhage, seroma, and device-related problems.
CPT GuideA practical trauma laparotomy coding guide covering exploratory laparotomy, bowel resection, splenectomy, packing, and modifier pitfalls.
RVUA surgeon-focused RVU guide explaining why 90-day global procedures look richer than they feel and where post-op work hides inside the value.
ModifierWhen to use modifier 24, when it fails, and how to document unrelated postoperative E/M visits without getting denied.
CPT GuideComplete coding guide for lap chole — with/without cholangiography, CBD exploration, modifiers, and ICD-10 pairing.
CPT Guide44950, 44960, 44970 — when to use each, modifier -22 for complicated, ICD-10 K35 series pairing.
CPT GuideOpen vs laparoscopic, initial vs recurrent, bilateral coding, and modifier usage for inguinal hernia repair.
CPT GuideDepth-based coding, add-on codes, size calculation, and when to use the 97597/97598 vs 11042 series.
CPT GuidePICC, IJ, subclavian, femoral — tunneled vs non-tunneled, age-based codes, and port placement coding.
CPT Guide19100-19307 series, sentinel lymph node, excisional vs incisional biopsy, partial vs total mastectomy coding.
CPT Guide10060, 10061, 10080, 10081 — perirectal vs superficial, when to code separately vs bundle.
CPT GuideWhat's included, pre-op E/M, post-op visits, return to OR modifiers, and how global periods affect billing.
CPT Guide44120, 44121, 44130, 44615 — obstruction, adhesiolysis, Meckel's, trauma, and anastomosis coding.
CPT GuideRight colectomy (44140, 44204), left colectomy, sigmoid (44143, 44208), total colectomy (44150, 44210) with wRVU comparison table.
CPT Guide44140-44160 series, laparoscopic codes, Hartmann's, total colectomy, ostomy creation and reversal.
CPT Guide43235-43259 EGD, 45378-45398 colonoscopy — diagnostic vs therapeutic, biopsy, polypectomy techniques.
CPT Guide49000-49002, organ repair, critical care time coding, trauma activation, and multiple procedure rules.
CPT Guide60220-60260 series, with/without neck dissection, parathyroid exploration, and nerve monitoring coding.
CPT Guide11400-11446 benign, 11600-11646 malignant — excision vs shave, margin measurement, and closure codes.
ModifierSignificant, separately identifiable E/M on same day as procedure — documentation requirements and denial prevention.
ModifierNCCI edits, when -59 is appropriate, the X{EPSU} modifiers, real examples, and bundling solutions.
ModifierE/M visit where decision for major surgery is made, 90-day global, vs modifier 25, documentation tips.
ModifierWhen to use increased procedural services, documentation requirements, operative note language, RVU impact.
ModifierMPPR rules, how payment is calculated, primary vs secondary, when NOT to use -51, exempt procedures.
ICD-10K35.2, K35.3, K35.80, K35.89 — with/without abscess, perforation, peritonitis, documentation tips.
ICD-10K80 cholelithiasis, K81 cholecystitis — acute vs chronic, with/without obstruction, documentation gaps.
ICD-10K40-K46 series — inguinal, ventral, umbilical, femoral with laterality, recurrence, obstruction, gangrene.
RVUHow wRVUs are calculated, conversion factor, PE and MP components, compensation benchmarking.
RVUTop 20 procedures by wRVU, time-to-RVU ratio, and coding tips to maximize your productivity.
RVUCommon missed charges, documentation tips, same-day E/M, critical care billing, teaching physician rules.
Use our free interactive decision tree to find the exact CPT code for your procedure — with modifiers, ICD-10 codes, and RVU values.
🔍 Open CPT Code Finder