tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2005 Issue 9

READER QUESTIONS: '3-Year Rule' Applies to Practice,Not Physician

Question: A patient sees a surgeon in our group practice. Over two years later, the patient returns to the group practice for a new problem but must see a different physician because the original treating surgeon is no longer with the practice. Is this a new or established patient?Michigan Subscriber Answer: Under the guidelines set forth by the "three- year rule," the patient is established, not new.In other words, you cannot bill for a new patient visit just because the patient switches doctors within the group. As long as you are billing under the same provider...

To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to tci General Surgery Coding Alert.

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.