Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: A family practice physician admitted a patient for treatment of severe abdominal pain. My pulmonologist was consulted for evaluation and management options of acute bronchitis in this patient with COPD and he followed the patient through the episode of care. Both physicians want to report the hospital discharge. Can they split the discharge billing? If not, who should report it? Maryland Subscriber Answer: Because the family practice physician is the admitting or attending physician, he reports the discharge code (99238-99239, Hospital discharge day management &). According to CPT Hospital Discharge Services instructions , To report concurrent care services provided by a physician(s) other than the attending physician, use subsequent hospital care codes 99231-99233. Remember: Medicare and many other payers allow only the admitting physician to bill a discharge for the patient, unless a formal transfer of care occurs and the admitting physician/group is no longer on the case. However, [...]