Wiki Inpatient Psych Ward Billing

[krugerc]

Currently we have a consult liason service (consisting of a Psychiatrist and an APRN) who see patients in a medical hospital setting. I normally code 90801 (for new patients) and a 90862 (for follow-ups) but sometimes use consultation or subsequent hospital care codes. Our facilty will be opening up an inpatient Psych Ward and I need input as far as what CPT codes are commonly used.

Thank you.

 

[1073358]

On our inpt unit, I commonly see the following:
90801
99231
99232
99232
99251-99255
99238/9
90862
and once in a while, I will see inpt psychotherapy codes used. Not often though.

 

[deyoung]

We commonly use:
IP Psych Codes:
90801
90816, 90817
90862
90846, 90847
90853

IP E/M Codes:
99251-99255
99231-99233
99238, 99239

 

[kevbshields]

I'd expect to see those psychotherapy codes too. It's often overlooked on IP pro fee coding: 90816-90829 and 90853 is VERY popular at some facilities.

 

[wpsmith4967]

Are psychotherapy codes more appropriate than E/M in the inpatient setting?

 

[kevbshields]

That depends on what service is rendered . . .

 

[1073358]

Review the documentation. You would code the most appropriate code to what was rendered. Don't form the visit to the code, form the code to the visit.
Keep in mind that if they want to bill therapy codes, the notes need to reflect what they are actually doing for the patient.

 

[krugerc]

Thanks for your replies.