Wiki CPT Code

[mbarber]

Using a new code for Hospice ...When a patient expires in the facility (HOSPICE) what discharge code do I need to use for the physician seeing the patient and then expires after he has seen him/her. Looking at codes 99238, 99239, 99217.

Also, in order to get paid for the service does the physician have to pronounce patient death?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[dmetz]

I do not bill for Hospice, but that doesn't sound like a discharge code to me. I have physicians see patients early in the day and find out they expire later. What they did earlier in the day was an established visit or critical care depending on the documentation. They did not write orders for a discharge.

I hope that helps.