punkyboo
Networker
I need clarification on this...it would be much appreciated as there is a big board meeting tomorrow night and we have to explain this to our doctors...
Our practice consists of Neurosurgeons and Neurologists. They see patients in the ER a lot, and want to charge an ER visit (99281-99285) since the patient was seen in the ER.
Now, it was my understanding from the Medicare Teleconferences, that an ER visit can only be charged if the patient was never admitted as inpatient to the hospital or changed to outpatient status. To summarize, the visit code should be changed to reflect the patient's ultimate status, and the ER visit codes should only be used if the patient was only seen in the ER and never admitted or became an "outpatient."
Is this correct? I'd like some input from as many coders as possible, because I'd hate for us to give our docs incorrect information...and yes, this Medicare decision to get rid of consults is the reason for the meeting.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give. You guys are the best!
~P