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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

READER QUESTION ~ Patient-Generated Second Opinion Isn't a Consult

Published on Mon Feb 05, 2007

Question: How should I report the service when our neurologist offers a second opinion, now that CPT deleted the confirmatory consult codes?

Illinois Subscriber Answer: If a patient comes to your practice and requests a second opinion, report the appropriate E/M code (99201-99205 for new patients and 99212-99215 for established patients). Because patients generate most second-opinion requests, treat these office visits as you would any other E/M visit. Clinical and coding expertise for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions  provided by Neil Busis, MD, chief of the division of neurology and director of the neurodiagnostic laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at Shadyside, and clinical associate professor in the department of neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and Mary H. McDermott, MBA, CPC, director of billing quality assurance, Clinical Practice Association, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
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