ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Question: My group is now using mid-level providers (MLPs) to staff our fast track. Each patient is staffed with a physician. My question comes to procedure billing. If the MLP does a procedure such as an I& D of an abscess or suture, does that get billed under the MLP or under the physician? The debate is because the patient is billed under the physician codes if the physician had face to face time with the patient. If there was no face-to-face time, then it is billed under the MLP at 85 percent of the physician charge. The procedure was discussed with the physician, but was actually performed by the MLP. Some are saying that the doc has to be present throughout the procedure or during "key" moments of the procedure to bill for it, and if the doc is not present then it is billed at the 85% of [...]