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ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Reader Question:

Multi Trauma Visits Require High Decision-Making

Published on Tue Dec 18, 2012

Question: Patients who present with multiple trauma from a fall or motor vehicle accident arrive by ambulance and require several x-rays (four or more) and CAT scans. Both the emergency physician and the radiologist review the tests. In addition, the patients require a complete physical exam and some labs. How should I factor in this data into ‘complexity of data reviewed?’ Should I consider this data extensive or moderate? Virginia Subscriber Answer: If you use the Marshfield Clinic Audit Tool, you would get: 1 point for ordering labs, 1 point for ordering x-rays, and 2 points for direct visualization, totaling 4 points. Direct visualization should be your independent interpretation of the films rather than simply a review or incorporation of the radiologists report. That corresponds to high complexity amount of data reviewed. Remember: This is only one of the three areas of MDM. You would need to have an extensive [...]
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