Wiki Sorry another question about colonoscopies

[coder25]

If a medicare patient is seen in the hospital for the first time by us and she has constipation, abdominal pain, and a change in bowel habits, can we bill out the E/M prior to the colonoscopy. Pt was seen 9/15 and colonoscopy was done 9/18/09.

Please help...so confusing!

Thanks

 

[j.berkshire]

The patient was initially seen for signs and/or symptoms requiring diagnostic testing. This makes the colonoscopy diagnostic and the prior E&M service billable. If a patient is seen prior to screening colonoscopy--having no signs, symptoms, or past history--the evaluation prior to the exam is not covered by Medicare.

 

[coder25]

Thank you for clearing this up for me. It is much appreciated.

Peggy