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Wiki New patient visit vs established

REGINALD068

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An established patient comes in for a f/u and has a new complaint. Do I code a high level established patient visit, or do I code a new patient visit, or both with a modifier?
 
Patient is established. You would not bill a new patient exam because its a new problem. I think some workers comp go against CPT/AMA/CMS guidelines but other than that its established since under 3 years since last face to face service.
Leveling will follow standard guidelines. Be sure not to count the work directed towards the surgery post op towards the leveling for the new problem visit.
 
An established patient is an established patient for all visits and all reasons. It does not change just because there is a new diagnosis. You never have any good reason to up code a visit level it must be coded as per the written note. It is what it is.
 
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