New Versus Established

[glhaffner@gmail.com]

Question about whether a flu shot will establish a patient- CPT manual states that professional services that are face to face will establish. Sometimes flu shots are given by LPN/RN and do not see a provider. However, does this still establish?

 

[danskangel313]

You are not going to be billing a problem-oriented E/M code, so there is no need to distinguish between new vs established. You should only be billing the administration charge.

 

[glhaffner@gmail.com]

new versus established

Thanks for responding. I may have mis-communicated the question. If the patient has been to see us previously for only a flu shot, and then returns within 3 years, would that subsequent visit be considered new vs established?

 

[danskangel313]

Thanks for responding. I may have mis-communicated the question. If the patient has been to see us previously for only a flu shot, and then returns within 3 years, would that subsequent visit be considered new vs established?

If they have never seen a provider, then it would be a new patient.