Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: If our physician sees a patient in the same- day surgery area of the hospital as an outpatient and not in the emergency department or patient room, can I report an outpatient consultation code?


Minnesota Subscriber
 

Answer: If the neurologist adequately documented the consultation (by meeting the four R's of consults: request, reason, render/recommend, and report), you can report the appropriate code from 99241-99245 (Office consultation for a new or established patient -) for the visit.
 
Because your physician saw the patient in an outpatient setting, submit 22 (Outpatient hospital) as the place of service.