Dream Factory by TruBridge Ideas Portal
The only way to document contrast use when completing exams that utilize it is by associating the contrast items to the exam item ordered. Currently, it's only possible to answer YES or NO to contrast use which leads to charges dropping for the entire 100ml bottle. CMS and insurance companies look for the amount of contrast used and the amount wasted and it causes problems when accounts are submitted for billing. The way that waste amounts are currently documented is cumbersome and not easily within the workflow for Rad Techs. There isn't a way on the order maintenance screen where the tech completes the exam that allows them to enter the amount of contrast used and the amount wasted...there needs to be some sort of option that allows them to capture the documentation without going outside their normal workflow.
I agree with both Mark and Susan. This has been a challenge to capture. We currently have to do this on paper at our facility and we are having issues making sure that billing is receiving the information. Going outside of their work flow to capture the waste is also not efficient.
I agree with Mark that contrast use and waste by the radiology tech must be addressed. CMS recently placed a requirement that we use a modifier to show no waste vs waste and the currently process can lead to fraudulent billing because there is not a field to document waste of the 100ml bottle. I realize this must be coordinated with billing so that the appropriate modifier drops on the waste line vs the non-waste line but the time has come. Also, there has to be a way for ADM facilities to identify this to charge on admin by radiology outside the use of a MAR.