new doctor

[kellyrc]

I have a question on a new doctor to our practice. He has established patients but him and his patients are new to our practice. So would I bill new patient visit or established visit. Any help would be greatly appriciated

 

[RebeccaWoodward*]

They will be established patients if he has seen them, face to face, within the last 3 years.

When you change practices

Consider this scenario: Suppose you leave the practice where you have been working for a number of years to join a new group in a nearby community. Some of your patients transfer their care to the new practice and see you within three years of their last visits. You would report these encounters using an established patient code because, although you are practicing in a new group, you have provided professional services to the patient during the last three years. Note that whether the patient has transferred his or her medical records to your office and how long you may have had those records is irrelevant. The amount of time that's passed since your last encounter with the patient is the determining factor.

http://www.aafp.org/fpm/2003/0900/p33.html

 

[cyndeew]

New Doctor

One further consideration - good will. It goes a long way toward building a successful practice if you put yourself in the patient's shoes. If you can at all keep from charging them for a new patient visit, you should. They are loyal in coming to the new practice, so a legimate reward would likely be appreciated. Make sure you let them know it and that you appreciate them coming to the new practice. The good will you create come back to the practice.