tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2003 Issue 11

Reader Question: Watch Out When Billing Extended Observations

Question: A patient presented to the ED complaining of chest pain at 8 a.m. The physician examined the patient and, finding no definitive cause for the condition, placed the woman in observation at 9 a.m. At 7 that night, the physician decided the patient could be discharged. Which observation code should I use?Arkansas Subscriber Answer: Since the patient was admitted and discharged on the same date, you should choose the appropriate code from the range 99234-99236 (Observation or inpatient hospital care, for the evaluation and management of a patient including admission and discharge on the same...

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