ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Multi Trauma Visits Require High Decision-Making
Question: Patients who present with multiple trauma from a fall or motor vehicle accident arrive by ambulance and require several x-rays (four or more) and CAT scans. Both the emergency physician and the radiologist review the tests. In addition, the patients require a complete physical exam and some labs. How should I factor in this data into ‘complexity of data reviewed?’ Should I consider this data extensive or moderate?
Virginia Subscriber
Answer: If you use the Marshfield Clinic Audit Tool, you would get: 1 point for ordering labs, 1 point for ordering x-rays, and 2 points for direct visualization, totaling 4 points. Direct visualization should be your independent interpretation of the films rather than simply a review or incorporation of the radiologists report. That corresponds to high complexity amount of data reviewed.
Remember: This is only one of the three areas of MDM. You would need to have an extensive number of diagnoses or management options or high risk to have MDM of high complexity.
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
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