Counseling Family After Death Pronounced

[CrysLednum]

Hello -

I have a Hospitalist who was rounding on patients and when he went to one patient, the person had expired and had been pronounced. The Hospitalist ended up speaking with the family for 30 minutes in the room (unknown if body still in room). I have looked through CPT and I am not finding anything that would be appropriate since physician did not pronounce.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Naveen Rachagolla]

Discharge and Death Pronouncement

Hello -

I have a Hospitalist who was rounding on patients and when he went to one patient, the person had expired and had been pronounced. The Hospitalist ended up speaking with the family for 30 minutes in the room (unknown if body still in room). I have looked through CPT and I am not finding anything that would be appropriate since physician did not pronounce.

Thanks for any input.

Only the physician who personally performs the pronouncement of death shall bill for the faceto-face hospital discharge day management service (CPT code 99238 or 99239). The date of the
pronouncement shall reflect the calendar date of service on the day it was performed even if the
paperwork is delayed to a subsequent date.