tci E/M Coding Alert - 2021 Issue Q2

You Be the Coder: Be Critical of Using This Code in Psychiatric Encounters

Question: Can we report critical care for a patient with suicidal ideation? Our coders have discussed this in depth and have determined that suicidal patients should not be coded as critical care because “psychiatric” is not an organ system that could be impaired such that there is a high probability of imminent or life threatening deterioration in the patient’s condition. What do you think? South Dakota Subscriber Answer: Critical could be reported if the 99291 (Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes) time thresholds were met and there...

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