Observation vs. Outpatient

[karey]

Would going to the hospital for chemo due to drug sensitivity vs having it in the office/out patient facility be considered observation?

I would think that if the patient is being sent to the hospital for treatment due to drug sensitivity this would be considered observation as the patient is being observed for possible reaction to the drug.

If it is considered an outpatient hospital visit then would I use E/M codes 99211-99215?

 

[sparkles1077]

A provider would have to order a patient to obs, so you would need to check orders or see if the patient was admitted. If it is outpatient hospital and you are billing for the physician, codes 99212 - 99215 would be used.

 

[karey]

Thank you so much! I am new to outpatient hospital coding and just wanted to make sure I was coding correctly.

 

[alannae]

If it is observation, you may also be able to code the observation codes (99217-99226, 99234-99236) IF your physician is the attending/admitting physician.

Alanna