tci E/M Coding Alert - 2014 Issue 2

Reader Question: Patient 'Coding' Doesn't Automatically Mean 99291

Question: After a patient with chest pain “coded” in the ER and was admitted to the ICU, our surgeon saw the patient for a consult. The patient was lethargic and a poor historian, so most of his information came from prior medical records. Our doctor did not document time. Can we charge for critical care since the patient was in the ICU? California Subscriber Answer: No — you can’t bill critical care (99291-99292, Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient ...) simply because the place of service is the intensive care...

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