Practice Management Alert

Check your 2010 consultation coding savvy. Find out if you're set to properly code your physician's consultation services this year by checking your answers to the three quiz questions on page 11 against this answer key. Answer 1: Check With Your MAC for Guidance When your physician sees a Medicare inpatient and would have used an inpatient consultation code, this year you should report an initial hospital care code (99221- 99223). If the E/M service and documentation do not meet the requirements of an initial inpatient hospital care code, however, your coding will now depend on your Medicare Administrative Contractor's (MAC) or carrier's policy. Problem: The lowest initial hospital care code (99221) requires a detailed history and detailed exam. When your physician's documentation does not reach this level, there is a question as to what CPT codes you should use. Option 1: Some MACs/carriers have stated that you should use the [...]