Dermatology Coding Alert
Weekend Visit Leads to 99050
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Question: My dermatologist saw a patient in the office on a weekend. How should I report this? Answer: You should first report the appropriate E/M service code for the visit based on the level of service your dermatologist provided. Then report 99050 (Services provided in the office at times other than regularly scheduled office hours, or days when the office is normally closed [e.g., holidays, Saturday or Sunday], in addition to basic service) to indicate that the visit occurred outside of your physician's regular office hours.
Oregon Subscriber
Downside: Medicare payers won't reimburse for "after-hours" codes 99050-99053, but you can often persuade private payers to reimburse for the services. You may be able to convince private carriers to pay by showing how after-hours visits -- on an emergency basis -- can benefit patients and, at the same time, reduce the cost of claims.
Learn more: For more information on the after-hours codes, see "Use Signs to Substantiate 99050-99051 Services" in the April 2006 Dermatology Coding Alert.
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Weekend Visit Leads to 99050
Question: My dermatologist saw a patient in the office on a weekend. How should I [...]