Abstract:
An apparatus and method of identifying and selecting a billing code for a surgical procedure using a surgical system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally pertains to surgical systems. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention pertains to surgical systems used for ophthalmic surgery. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Various private insurers and government agencies provide reimbursement for certain surgical procedures or portions thereof. This reimbursement is based on billing codes that represent the surgical procedure performed. Currently, after an ophthalmic surgeon finishes a procedure on a patient, he or she will dictate a summary of the procedure, including any applicable billing codes, with a voice recorder. This dictation is typically transcribed by administrative personnel to a hard copy form containing the applicable billing codes identified by the surgeon, and this form is eventually submitted to the appropriate reimbursement entity (i.e. private insurer, government agency) for payment. Surgeons may make errors in the billing codes during dictation, administrative personnel may make errors in transcription, and the hard copy forms may be lost before they are sent to the appropriate reimbursement entity. All of these inadvertent errors result in overpayment or underpayment for the surgical treatment provided. In addition, applicable laws place the burden of providing correct billing codes to a reimbursement entity on the surgeon. Therefore, a need exists for more accurately and efficiently accomplishing this reimbursement process. The present invention is directed to a surgical system that addresses this need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a method of identifying and selecting a billing code for a surgical procedure. A surgical system is provided. The surgical system has a console, a computer disposed within the console, and a touch screen display operatively coupled to the computer. After a surgical procedure is performed using the surgical system, a list of actual steps performed during the surgical procedure as identified and recorded by the computer is displayed on the touch screen display, a list of all billing codes potentially applicable to the actual steps is displayed on the touch screen display, and one of the billing codes from the list of all billing codes is selected by pressing the selected one of the billing codes on the touch screen display. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a schematic, perspective view of a surgical system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of an “end case” screen of a graphic user interface of the surgical system of  FIG. 1  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0007]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1-2  of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a surgical system  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , surgical system  10  is an ophthalmic surgical system. System  10  preferably includes a console  11 , a graphic user interface/touch screen display  12 , a computer or microprocessor  14  disposed within console  11  for managing and recording the various functions performed during surgery, a foot controller  16 , and a bar code scanner  18 . Foot controller  16  is operatively coupled to system  10  via cable  19 , and bar code scanner  18  is operatively coupled to system  10  via cable  21 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , system  10  preferably also includes a surgical cassette and other consumables for managing the fluidics of the surgical procedure; a series of liquid, electrical, and pneumatic connectors or ports for operatively coupling with the various surgical handpieces associated with system  10 ; an illuminator module; and a laser module. Exemplary handpieces utilized in anterior segment ophthalmic surgery (i.e. cataract surgery) performed using system  10  include an ultrasonic handpiece, an irrigation/aspiration handpiece, and/or a diathermy handpiece. A preferred ultrasonic handpiece is a phacoemulsification handpiece. Exemplary handpieces utilized in posterior segment ophthalmic surgery (i.e. vitreoretinal surgery) performed using system  10  include a vitrectomy probe, an infusion cannula, an extrusion handpiece, surgical scissors, and/or a diathermy handpiece. A preferred surgical system  10  is the CONSTELLATION® surgical system available from Alcon Laboratories, Inc. of Fort Worth, Tex. 
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary “end case” screen  20  displayed on graphic user interface  12  after the surgeon has performed a surgical procedure. End case screen  20  displays the procedure  22  that was just performed by the surgeon and the various machine settings  24  associated with the particular procedure  22 . End case screen  20  has a first area  26  that lists the actual steps  28  performed during a particular procedure  22  that were automatically identified and recorded by computer  14 . End case screen  20  also has a second area  30  that lists all the billing codes  32  that are potentially applicable to procedure  22  and/or steps  28 . In addition, computer  14  preferably suggests the correct code from all the potentially applicable codes  32  for the actual surgical procedure  22  and/or steps  26  performed, and identifies this code via a unique color or other highlighting  34 . Computer  14  may also suggest alternative codes  32  via different, unique color or highlighting  36 . End case screen  20  preferably also has a third area  40  for listing “pass through” items  42  to be paid by the reimbursement entity. Pass through items  42  are preferably scanned via bar code scanner  18  as they are used during the surgical procedure, and the barcode ID  44  of each pass through item  42  appears in third area  40  of end case screen  20 . 
         [0010]    After reviewing all the information on end case screen  20 , the surgeon or other user simply selects the correct billing code or codes  32  on touch screen  12 , and the selected code(s) appears under the “case code” area  38  of end case screen  20 , as shown by Code  5  in  FIG. 2 . The surgeon or other user then preferably presses a “transmit code” button  46  on touch screen  12 , and the selected billing code(s)  32 , as well as the appropriate surgical procedure, patient, surgeon, and pass through item  42  information, is electronically transferred to the appropriate reimbursement entity (and/or the surgeon&#39;s internal billing department) via the internet or other conventional wireless communication device. Alternatively, the surgeon or other user can press the “print” button  48  on touch screen  12  to create a hard copy of the selected billing code(s)  32 , as well as the appropriate surgical procedure, patient, surgeon, and pass through item  42  information, for later transmittal to the appropriate reimbursement entity. 
         [0011]    From the above, it may be appreciated that the present invention provides more accurate and efficient apparatus and methods of accomplishing the reimbursement process associated with a surgical procedure. It is believed that the operation and construction of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus and methods shown or described above have been characterized as being preferred, various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.