Coding & Billing Corner

Get answers to your coding and billing questions from professional GI coding and billing specialists, offering insight on topics such as:

  • CPT, HCPCS and ICD-9 Coding for GI procedures
  • Federal reimbursement policy for GI Service
  • Selecting the appropriate category of service for the evaluation and management code
  • Documentation guidelines for evaluation and management service
  • Documentation requirements for teaching physician
  • The proper use of the advance beneficiary notice (ABN)
  • Billing non-covered service

Question Submission and Correspondence

Questions submitted directly to AskMueller Consulting, LLC via email, phone or fax will no longer be answered and you will be redirected to submit your inquiry online.

  • Before submitting a question, refer to the Coding & Billing Corner's FAQ page.
  • All coding and billing inquiries must now be submitted online.
  • Submit applicable procedure notes when prompted to support the context of your question.

    The AGA Institute Coding & Billing Corner Consultation service covers general question about appropriateness of coding for procedures and visits and questions related to acceptable billing practices. In-depth coding and review of operative notes and patient charts may incur additional costs. You will be contacted directly if your request is deemed by AskMueller Consulting, LLC to be above and beyond the services provided by the AGA institute.

  • Questions will be answered within 72 hours upon receipt and will be sent via an email response.

Pricing

Members receive two free questions per 30 day peridod and pay $20 for each subsequent question. Nonmembers pay $35, per question, for all questions.

The system automatically tracks the number of questions submitted. If you exceed the allotted questions, in any given 30 day period, you will automatically be prompted to submit payment prior to submitting your subsequent question(s).

About Your Coding and Billing Specialist

Kathleen A. Mueller, RN, CPC, CCS-P, CMSCS, CCC, PCS, is a nationally renowned coding and billing expert with more than 30 years of experience. Ms. Mueller has a long-standing relationship with AGA and has presented at many of AGA's practice management educational programs over the past several years. She currently serves as an instructor for AGA and McVey Associates collaborations, including a series of coding audio conferences, gastroenterology quarterly updates and the popular reimbursement and coding for gastroenterology seminars.

Ms. Mueller's vast background includes intensive care unit/critical care unit nursing, physician office administration, surgical and endoscopy billing and coding, and insurance claims submission and adjudication. Ms. Mueller is the owner of AskMueller Consulting, LLC, a nationally recognized speaker and author of multiple handbooks, and has provided on-site and remote instruction and coding assistance to hundreds of medical and surgical practices.

The information provided as a service to users of the answer line is offered with the understanding that the views expressed by coding and billing specialists are the most accurate and authoritative available. However, the AGA is not engaged in rendering legal or accounting services and the views expressed may be subject to other interpretations by the insurance carriers at any time. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.