Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: We are not usually open in the evenings or on the weekends, but we have decided to open our doors for several Saturdays and weekday evenings during the fall for flu/sick clinics. Should we charge after hours code 99050 at these appointments? Codify SubscriberAnswer: You should instead use 99051 (Service[s] provided in the office during regularly scheduled evening, weekend, or holiday hours, in addition to basic service), which is for services occurring on evenings and weekends during scheduled hours. In contrast, code 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) is for services outside regular scheduled hours.Since your office is planning to be open for evening and weekend hours albeit on a temporary basis, those nonroutine hours become your regularly scheduled hours.  Therefore, the appointments [...]