ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Deliver Consultation Codes for Work Outside ED
Question: A patient in labor is admitted directly to the labor and delivery ward without ever going to the ED. During her delivery, she goes into atrial fibrillation, and the attending physician calls in the ED physician to consult and verify that she is in atrial fibrillation. After stabilization, the patient is transported to another facility. Which E/M code should I use for the ED physician's work? Iowa Subscriber Answer: Your ED physician most likely provided a consultation when confirming that the patient in delivery went into atrial fibrillation (an abnormal, irregular heart rhythm with chaotic generation of electrical signals in the atria of the heart). You should report the E/M codes for initial inpatient consultations for new or established patients (99251-99255) if documentation of your physician's work meets the following requirements: You should also separately code any procedure the ED physician performs and appropriately documents.
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
- Zero In on EKG Payment:
Reports,Strips and Critical Care
Fight for electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation payment in the ED otherwise, Medicare will send reimbursement for [...] - Avoid the Red:
Understand Your Liability as a Coder
If you think lawsuits happen only to physicians and hospitals think again. Your code selection [...] - Weigh In on the EKG Battle:
Do Your Part
Your job is to ensure your physicians get paid fairly. When you report EKG interpretations [...] - Reasons to Avoid Sloppy or Inaccurate Coding
There's nothing better than a list of consequences to whip any coder into shape. You [...] - For ED Coders Only:
NPP Tips You Cant Miss
Although mid-level providers assist your physicians, they can handicap your coding. The ED has different [...] - You Be the Coder:
Breathe Easy With Nasal Approach
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Reader Question:
Deliver Consultation Codes for Work Outside ED
Question: A patient in labor is admitted directly to the labor and delivery ward without [...] - Reader Question:
Dont Back Away From Burn Codes
Question: A patient presents with second-degree burns on the forearm. The physician dictates that wounds [...] - Reader Question :
Use Documentation From Entire Chart
Question: A patient presents to the ED because a glow stick broke and splashed her [...] - Reader Question :
Use Common Courtesy for the Dead
Question: Our ED physician visits an admitted patient dying of cancer and declares that the [...] - Reader Question:
Give Docs a Last-Chance Look-Over
Question: One of our physicians frequently forgets to check all the elements he reviewed for [...]
