CPT 2011:
99224, 99225, 99226 Solve 'Middle Day' Code Dilemma
Published on Fri Oct 08, 2010
Observation services expansion eliminates payer coding variation.In 2011, coders will have a new option when reporting the middle day of observations that last longer than normal. Check out this expert advice on how CPT additions will affect your orthopedist's observation care services coding starting on Jan. 1, 2011.New Codes Offer ClarityBefore 2011, coding for the "middle days" of an observation service was a problem. Although not the norm, there are situations where a patient is admitted to observation and remains in that status for three or more days.The CPT 2011 E/M section addresses these middle days with new codes. The three new codes parallel the hospital subsequent care series in terms of component requirements and time frames. The new codes include:99224 -- Subsequent observation care, per day, for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires at least 2 of these 3 key components: Problem focused interval history; Problem focused [...]