Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: Our neurologist provided consultant services to a patient who was under critical care in the ICU. The primary attending doctor was the primary attending clinician. Can we report the critical care codes for our neurologist's services?New Mexico Subscriber Answer: To report critical care services, you have an option of 99291 (Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes) and +99292 (Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; each additional 30 minutes [List separately in addition to code for primary service]) depending upon the time for the evaluation and management. You will need to be specifically clear for the primary attending doctor. It isn't clear in your question if the primary attending doctor was the hospital intensivist or was the internal medicine physician. Verify the situation with the primary attending clinician since you won't be able [...]