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I was confused by the latest May article on Consultations in the Coding Edge. On Page 21 it says, " The report is not a thank you, nor is it a courtesy copy of the history and physical. Rather, the report provides instruction to allow the requesting physician to continue treating the patient". We often have a written request for a consultation from our referring doctor. They are asking the opinion of our doctor, but it seems the article is saying that if it ends up to be a problem that the referring doctor can't treat that it voids the request for our opinion. I have read literally "hundreds" of articles on consultations, and I always seem to get a different spin on the situation in every article. We do bill a consultation if we have a written request for the doctors opinion even if we are the ones that continue to treat the patient for the condition. It would seem logical that if the referring doctor wants to hear back from our doctors with their opinion that it would still constitute a consultation. We are surgeons. The referring doctor may have no intention of doing surgery when they send the patient to us, but they are asking our doctors if they feel that surgery is indicated for the symptoms that the patient is having. The information in the article under the heading "Intentions Matter" seem to indicate that it would void the consultation request. We do not bill a consultation unless the word consultation or opinion is in the request. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Debbie
Thanks,
Debbie
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