Advanced Search

Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Admission Determines Specific Observation Codes

Published on Wed Apr 13, 2005

Question: Another doctor asked my oncologist for a consult with a patient who had been admitted for an observation stay. Should I use 99218-99220?


New Hampshire Subscriber


Answer: Because your oncologist is involved with the patient in a consultative capacity, you should report his services with the appropriate outpatient consultation code (99241-99245).

If your doctor admits the patient to the hospital, however, you should more accurately report his service with the applicable hospital admission code (99221-99223).

Only one physician can bill the observation admit codes (99218-99220, Initial observation care, per day ...) per observation stay. 


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

Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

View All