Wiki ER Coding

[atucker10675]

I am working on Practicode. Can anyone tell me why you don't code for the lab work on an emergency room clinical record. I've had several records where the patient had labs and an EKG and the labs aren't coded and the EKG is coded. The rationale doesn't help. I am newly CPC-A and need help. thanks

 

[jimbo1231]

Which side?

Labs are not coded on the physician side for a couple of reason. First they are factored into MDM for E&M. Second breaking out the professional component for say a CBC is not recognized by Medicare and pretty much questionable billing.

On the facility side labs are billed through the lab not ED typically.

Jim

 

[kevbshields]

I would also add to this discussion by saying that there is no such thing as a "professional interpretation" of lab results. These are mostly automated and require no physician intervention, meaning there is no professional component to them. That being the case, only the technical charges can be picked up on the facility side (e.g., hospital or outside lab).