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How to code sports physicals

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The sports physicals you'll perform for many of your young patients before they go back to school can be done at the same time you do regular well visits.

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Q: School is about to start again, and that means a number of my younger patients will come in for sports physicals. What CPT and ICD-9 codes should I use?

However, what you likely want but probably won't be able to get is a separate payment for doing the sports physical. That's because payers limit the number of times they will pay for well visits (not more than once a year; sometimes only once every two years, for children in the typical age range for sports physicals).

The author is a compliance manager for Baptist Medical Associates in Louisville, Kentucky. Have a coding or managed care question for our experts? Send it to meletters@advanstar.com
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