Documenting "New Patient"

[sbrown64]

I realize it would be 'best practice' to document new patient in the encounter notes, however does anyone have a source where it is written it is mandatory to document 'new patient?'

Thanks - Schawn

 

[pamtienter]

I haven't seen anything anywhere saying that "new patient" has to be documented.

 

[Karolina]

I am not aware of any requirement to actually write the words "new patient" in your documentation. The fact remains that the patient has to meet the requirements for a new patient in order to bill one of the new patient codes.