Reasons Why Nephrology Billing Is More
Complicated than Most Specialties
Nephrology billing does not only entail the submission of codes like CPT and ICD-10. All the claims should be thoroughly reconciled with: Payer policie, Medical necessity requirements, The End-Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System (ESRD PPS) introduced by Medicare.
Notable reasons that led to complexity include:
Dialysis for the Kidney
In-center hemodialysis is usually done thrice a week and should be appropriately coded per session and combined every month using MCP (Monthly Capitation Payment) codes. Billing rules governing home dialysis (peritoneal or hemodialysis) are different.
BPS Payment System
Many ESRD-related services (such as lab tests and particular drugs) are not reimbursed separately but under bundled rates.
Expansion of Providers & Points of Service
Nephrologists serve patients across outpatient clinics, dialysis centers, and hospitals — each with different billing requirements. Improper documentation or coding can cause recoupments and fines. Nephrology claims are often audited by Medicare and Medicaid due to the high cost of dialysis.






