Wiki E&M Codes: Office level code or inpatient initial code??/

[Heav23]

If a patient is seen in the office then dr decides the patient needs to be admitted to the hospital, which code is the correct code for that day? Office code 99211-99215 or 99223????

 

[ccooper@sblhs.org]

When the patient is admitted to the hospital via another site of service (hospital ER, physician's office) all services provided by the physician in conjunction with that admission are considered part of the initial hospital care when performed on the same date as admission.

 

[AmandaBriggs]

You would also need to determine whether or not the provider had face-to-face interaction with the patient in the hospital setting and determine if the patient was admitted as inpatient or observation prior to billing either the 99221-99223 or 99218-99220 codes.