Wiki G0444

[stephmescher]

If a patient comes in for a SAWV or any other visit and has been treated for depression in the past, are we able to code the G0444-screen to see who patient is responding to treatment? Is it once the patient is diagnosed with depression, the option of G0444 goes away?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Steph

 

[thomas7331]

If the patient carries a current diagnosis of depression, then you're correct, you cannot use G0444 - there's no necessity to screen for a disease that you already know the patient has. Screening, by definition, is "testing for disease or disease precursors in seemingly well individuals so that early detection and treatment can be provided for those who test positive for the disease." A screening test is not used to evaluate a patient's response to treatment.

 

[stephmescher]

Another question regarding the IPPE and the visual acuity screen? If the patient has glasses and is being followed regularly by an eye Dr., do we have to perform the acuity test or can we just document the date the patient had the last test and where they had this?