tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2005 Issue 6

READER QUESTIONS: All Patients Are New to ED

Question: A patient presented to the ED with a 2-cm uncomplicated laceration to the hand. The physician repaired the laceration and sent the patient on his way. Is it appropriate to code just the procedure, or should I also report an E/M service?Washington Subscriber Answer: Usually, because the emergency department physician must assess the extent of the patient's injury before treating it, you will report both the procedure code and the appropriate evaluation and management code. Most of the time - especially in the ED, where every patient is new - the physician needs to obtain a history...

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