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ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Reader Question:

Don't let head trauma coding give you a headache

Published on Fri May 18, 2012

Question: Is minor head trauma a "99282" as it does require a detailed history and physical to evaluate for any intracranial bleed? A "99282" to me is a simple rash that I am not doing very much for. Do they always need labs/x-rays to be a "99284"? Nebraska Subscriber Answer: A minor head trauma would likely score higher than a 99282. CPT® Appendix C examples for ED services offer some guidance to the question.
99283 - Emergency department visit for a healthy, young adult patient who sustained a blunt head injury with local swelling and bruising without subsequent confusion, loss of consciousness or memory deficit.
99284 - Emergency department visit for a 4-year-old who fell off a bike sustaining a head injury with brief loss of consciousness.
Chart documentation will always be the deciding factor in determining the level of service reported. You would [...]
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