Same group does NOT equal same specialty
Cynthia,
I don't want to further confuse you, but just because they are under the same Tax ID (i.e. the same group) does NOT mean they are of the same specialty.
I work for a major medical center. We have HUNDREDS of doctors, all with the same tax ID (i.e. the same group). But we have dozens of different specialties.
So if the hospitalist saw the patient in the morning, and the CV surgeon (different specialty) placed the central line in the afternoon no modifier would be needed for the hospitalist's services. Same group but DIFFERENT specialties, so they are NOT considered the same doctor.
If the intensivist saw the patient in the morning and a different intensivist placed a central line later the same day, then you would need a -25 modifier on the FIRST physician's E/M code. Same specialty so they ARE considered the same doctor.
Hope that helps.
F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC