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Wiki Data level for sending out for consult

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lhoot

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Hello,
If a physician sends a patient for a consult (not a referral), does this count towards data like ordering a lab or imaging would?

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Laura
 
No, there isn't an entry in the data category for requesting a consult. The need for a consult is already incorporated into the E/M because it can be considered 'additional work-up planned', so can affect the points assigned in the diagnoses and treatment options category.
 
My apologies in leaving out the type of visit my question is for. This is for an office visit. Additional work-up planned isn't part of the new guidelines, so I'm stumped.
 
lhoot said:
My apologies in leaving out the type of visit my question is for. This is for an office visit. Additional work-up planned isn't part of the new guidelines, so I'm stumped.
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I don't think this is explicitly addressed in the new guidelines. I would still consider a factor in the first section because it's an indicator of the complexity of the problem(s) addressed if the provider must request a specialist evaluation. However, I think it would be reasonable to consider it as a data point instead since it's similar to requesting a test or an outside record for review. In other words, I think it's clearly a factor that affects MDM, but how you're going to count it is going to be a coding judgment call.
 
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