tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 1999 Issue 2

Reader Question: Billing for Observation Care Where Consulting with Non-Physician

Question: If you have a patient that presents to the ED with suicidal tendencies and the ED physician wishes to admit the patient to observation status, then consults a social worker or psychologist, can the ED physician still bill for the observation even if the social worker stays on the premises to observe the patient? The patient is still under the medical direction of the ED physician. I feel that we can still bill for the observation services.Sharon Kowalzyk,General Medical Services, Kingston, PAAnswer: You are correct, says Stradley. The ED physician is in control of the patient...

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