Wiki Rebecca

[Drito]

When a patient comes into the emergency room and given Critical Care, is the critical care code all inclusive? For example, would IV medications, IV fluids, IM injections, EKGs, nebulizer treatments, etc also be coded or are they included in critical care?

 

[Drito]

Sorry--Topic is Critical Care in the Emergency Room

Emergency room question--sorry

 

[ens555]

Critical care services coding

For a starter answer, critical care is not all inclusive but some services are included. Best to check a CPT book in the E&M section (for 2017 it's page 24).

In the ED CPR, emergency endotracheal intubation, and central venous access catheter insertion are examples of procedures that may be performed in a critical care case. These procedures are billed separately. If IV pain meds or other IV meds are given the administration of these meds is coded separately BUT IV meds integral to the procedure eg for CPR (Epinephrine, Vasopressin, Amiodarone, Lidocaine, Atropine, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium, Sodium Bicarbonate) would not be coded. The administration of IV sedation meds such as Versed, Propofol and others would not be picked up when used in the performance of the endotracheal intubation. Nebulizer treatment can also be separately billed.

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