New pt vs Est pt in a call group

[kstults]

I am in need of some clarification on something that I was just speaking to one of my General Surgeons about. My practice is set up this way; there are 3 gen surgeons with all separate Tax ID #'s, separate billing numbers etc. They share office space, charts and call. I realize it states for distinguishing between new and established "same specality same group practice". My thoughts are that even though they are different Tax id and separate sole practices they share call and charts therefore are the same group. The question is could they bill a new pt even though they share call? I would appreciate any feedback or direction for some more specific documentation that I could share with them to clarify.
Thank you

[Lisa Bledsoe]

If you are referring to hospital follow up visits (that aren't in a global period), and they are sharing call and covering for each other on rounds, it is an established visit.