Wiki Initial hospital care

[candicane1010]

Hi,

I'm a little confused regarding initial hospital care - 99221 -99223 the definition begins with, per day. How can it be initial and per day. My situation stems from our locum Neurologist was consutled for a patient on 3/5. We billed a 99222,Q6. Five days later the attending ordered a re-consult for our regular Neurologist, who spent a significant amount of time evaluating the patient. She wants to bill a 99223 so that she can get the full amount of reimbursement for her work.

I am torn due to the conflicting terms in the definition for the initial hospital care. Can anyone clarify this for me?
Thanks

 

[LindaEV]

I always wondered the same thing. They use that term in the description for Observation as well. I was thinking maybe they are trying to say you can only use it once per day...but isnt that a given?

I don't have an answer for that, but if the patient is under the same admission date, you cannot bill another "initial" service.