Focus on Doc's Intent to Quickly Solve Consult, Referral Riddle
Published on Mon Apr 27, 2009
A letter of findings to the first physician doesnt always equal a consult. Choosing a consultation when documentation supports a referral could trigger refund requests. When a doctor or other health care professional with a National Provider Identification number sends your neurosurgeon a patient, you have to determine what that provider is asking for. "It all boils down to intent," says Rena Hall, CPC, billing/insurance specialist at Kansas City Neurosurgery Group LLC in Missouri. In other words, "does Dr. A want an opinion or suggestion for treatment options, or does he want Dr. B to treat the problem from that point on?" Think Consult When Opinion Is Sought If the requesting physician says to your neurosurgeon, "You have expertise in this area, and I need your opinion on how to proceed with this patient who has this chief complaint," and documents that reason in the patients chart, that meets the [...]
