Wiki Coding Inpt last day when transferring to another hospital

[ndrackley]

When a patient is transferred from one hospital to another, what code do you bill for the last day at the first hospital? Is it the discharge code 99238 or 99239? Or, just a subsequent day code 99231-99233? The physician argues that the patient is not discharged but transferred; hence you cannot use discharge day codes? Is he correct?

 

[FTessaBartels]

Same system / practice?

If the hospitals are in one system, and the physician (or a partner in the same practice, same specialty) is still going to be caring for the patient at hospital # 2, then I agree with your doctor. Just bill a subsequent hospital visit.

But if the patient will be cared for at a completely unrelated hospital by a physician from a different practice or specialty, then I would code a discharge. The physician who receives the patient at the new hospital will code an admission.

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC