Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Different specialties can claim critical care services when non-duplicative. When your gastroenterologist provides critical care services as in the case of severe gastrointestinal bleeding due to cirrhosis or ulcers, you will need to concentrate on the patient's condition and time spent in attending to the patient. Read on to know more about when you can bill critical care services and other associated services provided to the same patient on the same day. Assess Patient's Condition to Know if Critical Care can be Reported Ensure that the patient's condition qualifies as critical. CPT® guidelines state that "critical care is the direct care provided by a physician to critically ill or injured patient" and "the critical illness or injury acutely impairs one or more vital organ systems such that there is a high probability of imminent or life threatening deterioration in the patient's condition." CMS states that "Critical care services must be [...]