Wiki Hospital visit for "2nd opinion"

[nc_coder]

I know the 2nd opinion codes went away a few years ago. One of our physician's saw pt in the hospital (inpatient) for a 2nd opinion. What code would I use? It is not a consult and we didn't admit the pt. The 99221-99223 codes are throwing me because it says to be used by the admitting physician. The subsequent visits are just that - sebsequent visits after the intial. Am I misunderstanding something here and making it harder than it should be?
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[FTessaBartels]

Who requested your opinion?

Who requested your opinion? The admitting physician? Or Surgeon? Or was it the patient and/or his family who is asking for a 2d opinion.

If the request for your opinion came from a qualified provider (physician, NP, PA, etc) then you probably DO have a consult.

If the request for your opinion came from the patient then you have a subsequent hospital visit. (The subsequent hospital visit is used by any physician subsequent to the admitting physician, unless it's a consult.)

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC