ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Reader Questions:

Prove Caveat Intent With a Statement

Question: How does CMS audit records when the acuity caveat is used to explain the ED physician's inability to obtain information? Specifically, does the physician have to write a note that states, "Unable to obtain info due to ... no other source available"? Or does the auditor consider the entire medical record (the nurse's notes, EMS notes, etc.)?

Utah Subscriber Answer: According to the 1995 documentation guidelines, if the history is unobtainable, the physician should state the reasons why and whatever alternative sources he pursued.
 
Using an "implied caveat" from the nurse's notes is a gray area and not foolproof. Taken to an extreme, a patient with active cardiopulmonary resuscitation would be impossible to get a history from directly - but the family and EMS might be available to comment.
 
Rather than leaving it up to the good graces of the auditor, you're best off having the doctor state why the history was unobtainable and what sources were consulted, and thereby give the auditor no room for criticism.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles in this issue of

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

View All