Wiki Hospitalist performing visit at I/P psych facility

[kathleeng]

We have a group of hospitalists (NPs) who perform medical evaluations (H&P) at an inpatient psychiatric facility. We are billing E/M codes 99221-99223 for the H&Ps and the psychiatrists are billing their psych codes. Our diagnoses are primarily medical. However, in a lot of cases the patient has no chronic illnesses therefore we have to use a mental health diagnosis. Both services are done on the same day. Is it appropriate for the hospitalists to bill 99221-99223? Or would it be more appropriate to bill a consult code? Please advise. If you can direct me to more information, that would be appreciated.

 

[Julieh193]

Interested in this topic as well

We have NP/PA charging for a subsequent visit CPT (99231-99235) on first day of admission and psychiatrist entering initial visit CPT (99221-99225) when they see the patient on day 2. I don't have the documentation to see what is actually being done on day 1 vs day 2 but current charging does not seem correct. I am interested in what others might have to offer on this topic.