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Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

New vs. Established Patient

Published on Fri Dec 21, 2012

Question: I work with a private oncologist who left a group practice in January 2000. We saw a patient for the first time in November 1999 at the old practice and a second time in August 2000 at the new practice. We do not have access to the previous records, and because this is only the second visit, a complete history was taken again. Is the patient new or established?

Wisconsin Subscriber

Answer: Assuming this patient was with another physician in the previous practice, there are two issues here. One, in every state, the patient, by law, has the right to his or her records. There may be concern regarding the patient having the information, but he or she still has that right. In addition, medical records cannot be withheld for non-payment of a bill.

Two, if this patient has not [...]
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