CPT Knowledgebase - Jun 20, 2019
What CPT code(s) should an emergency physician use to report outpatient services provided to a patient in the emergency department (ED) over multiple days while waiting for an inpatient psychiatric bed to become available, ie, based on the following scenario? A patient with a history of mental health issues is seen in the ED for agitation. History reveals the patient has been noncompliant with medications for two weeks. The patient is severely decompensated with hallucinations and suicidal ideation. The patient reports one prior suicide attempt. The examination reveals superficial lacerations to an arm. The emergency physician treats the patient and screens for alcohol and substance abuse. The patient is medically cleared and referred to a mental-health counselor for evaluation in the ED. After evaluation by the mental-health counselor, it is determined that the patient is at risk of self-injury and a recommendation is made for inpatient psychiatric care. The hospital has no psychiatric beds available, so a search is initiated for an inpatient psychiatric bed. The patient remains under the care of the ED physician until an inpatient psychiatric bed can be found. The emergency physician reviews the patients medications and provides all needed prescription-drug management. The patients response to any treatment or medication, managing any threats to self or staff, and adjusting the treatment plan as needed are monitored by emergency physicians during daily rounds. The emergency physician collaborates with staff to procure an inpatient psychiatric bed. All other medical conditions are addressed and the patients progress is documented in the medical record with at least daily interval progress notes by the emergency physician. On the third day of the stay in the ED, the patient is accepted and admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility.To view the Official AMA answer and 1000s more like this:
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