tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2008 Issue 7

Reader Questions: When Physician Performs Both, E/M Trumps Ventilator Management

Question: I have a tough coding choice to make. The physician performs initial-day ventilation management on a patient, but notes also indicate that she provided critical care service. What is the best way to code this encounter? Missouri Subscriber Answer: Your best bet is to go with the critical care, if the physician performed all of the components presented in the code descriptor. CPT bundles all the ventilator management codes (94002-94004, 94660, 94662) into critical care, so you cannot file 99291 (Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes) and a...

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