Wiki Inpatient consult billing outside surgery global

[candicane1010]

I'm a new coder and I am trying to determine whether I can bill an inpatient consult code 99252 for a patient that my Neurosugeon did surgery on 5 months prior. on 6/2 the NS charged a 99242 w/ 331.4 obstructive hydrocephalus and subsequently operated on 6/11 - 62230 w/ 331.4. On 11/11 NS was consulted for patient readmission with dx of new onset of seizures. The attending wanted to r/o shunt malfunction. Can I charge a consult code since this is outside the global, different place of service and new diagnosis? Any help would be greatly appreciated.....thank you.

 

[AuntJoyce]

Inpatient consult...

Absolutely...go for it. Anytime your doc is consulted in-hospital, particularly for a new problem, there is no question. If your doc is consulted today and gives his/her opinion and does not assume treatment of this patient at this time - it is conceivable that the requesting party may even ask for another consult in a day or two (sometimes the condition changes, etc.).

Happy Holidays!

Joyce

 

[candicane1010]

Awesome, thank you sooo much for the info!! Happy Holidays to you.

 

[valleycoder]

i agree, you sure can bill it.