Question: One morning, our gastroenterologist admitted a patient to the hospital for observation because of abdominal pain. Based on the observation, the gastroenterologist performed an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and removed a foreign object. The gastroenterologist then discharged the patient that afternoon. Can we report the observation and Also: On the claim, be sure the documentation illustrates to the payer how the gastroenterologist's findings in observation led to the ERCP. Otherwise, the payer may consider the observation services to be part of the ERCP.
ERCP separately?
South Carolina Subscriber
Answer: If the gastroenterologist decided during the observation that the patient should have the ERCP, then the observation is separately reportable. Assuming the patient was admitted to observation and discharged on the same calendar day, you should also report 99234, 99235, or 99236 - depending on the level of service provided
For example, if your physician provided level-two observation service before the ERCP, you would: