Wiki Consult after Observation

[sharmela3201]

If a patient is seen in Observation, and follows up in the office, are you allowed to bill a consult code, or does it have to be new pt office code(99201-99205)? Or est f/u code (99211-99215)?

 

[Farahnaz Khan]

I want to say bill office visit- new patient irrespective of observation status at hospital w/ mention of "observation status for ..... in hospital" somewhere in notes.

 

[arleneg527]

Patient is an established patient. It cannot be a new patient, because they were already seen, regardless of whether for observation or not.

 

[AmandaBriggs]

Patient is an established patient. It cannot be a new patient, because they were already seen, regardless of whether for observation or not.

I agree with the above. It doesn't matter in what setting the patient was initially seen, once they have seen the provider they are established. Our cardiologists consult on patients all the time at the hospital and then when they are seen for f/u in the office they are billed as established visits.