CPT 2011:
99224, 99225, 99226 'Middle Day'
Published on Mon Sep 27, 2010
Along with observation set expansion, new manual opens up options for ultrasound on extremitiesIn 2011, coders will have a new option when reporting the middle day of observations that last longer than normal; also, ultrasound (US) will get more specific as CPT doubles your choices for extremity US.Check out this expert advice on how CPT additions will affect your ED coding starting on Jan. 1, 2011.New Codes Offer Benefit of ClarityBefore 2011, coding for the "middle days" of an observation service was a problem, says Jill Young, CPC, CEDC, CIMC, principle with Young Medical Consulting LLC in East Lansing, Mich."Although not the norm, there are situations where a patient is admitted to observation and remains in that status for three or more days," Young explains.The CPT 2011 E/M section addresses these middle days, with these new codes scheduled for inclusion: 99224 -- Subsequent observation care, per day, for the evaluation and [...]
