Wiki Observation Code with PTCA/Stent

[peeya]

Can some one let me know if we need to bill the initial opservation code 99218 if the patient is admitted for observation after PTCA/Stent & discharged the next day.

The cardiologist is doing the PTCA & then admitting the patient overnight for observation. He is then discharging the patient next day, but I wanted to know if he should be billing for the initial observation also.

 

[OCD_coder]

The observation E/M is bundled to the procedure if done by the same MD, it's part of the global package - even if the global is (0) days. Unless, the patient is admitted for a totally different reason unrelated to the procedure performed.

 

[peeya]

Ok. But can we bill the discharge CPT 99238? If the Doctor is discharging the patient the next day & does a discharge summary?

 

[Jess1125]

Ok. But can we bill the discharge CPT 99238? If the Doctor is discharging the patient the next day & does a discharge summary?

Yes, if the patient is discharged on the following calendar day you can bill for the discharge separately.

Jessica CPC, CCC

 

[peeya]

Thank you.

 

[cargo]

99238 is an inpatient code.