gilson
New
For example: An elderly patient has alzheimers and is cared for by their adult child. The adult child caretaker requests a consultation with the doctor to discuss the patients care. According to the 2011 guidelines, can we bill an E/M code based on time if the patient is not present? Would it be billed to the patients insurance carrier?
I'm referring to the guideline that reads "When counseling and/or coordination of care dominates (takes up more than 50 percent of)the physician/patient and/or family encounter, then time shall be considered the key or controlling factor to qualify for a particular level of E/M. This includes time spent with parties responsible for the care of the patient or decision making whether or not they are family members"... etc...
My key question is can you bill a patients insurance if the patient is not actually present?
Thanks!
SG
I'm referring to the guideline that reads "When counseling and/or coordination of care dominates (takes up more than 50 percent of)the physician/patient and/or family encounter, then time shall be considered the key or controlling factor to qualify for a particular level of E/M. This includes time spent with parties responsible for the care of the patient or decision making whether or not they are family members"... etc...
My key question is can you bill a patients insurance if the patient is not actually present?
Thanks!
SG