gr8gal61
Guru
I am attempting to assist an M.D. that has an established "innovative medical care" practice that is going to incorporate seeing patients for their medical marijuana card. This is considered legal in the state of Illinois. They currently do cash pay patients only at a flat rate. He has been informed that filing claims through the patients' insurance company will maximize his revenue. I agree HOWEVER after much investigation, it appears that no insurance companies are paying for this service, even though it is legal in the state.
My questions are: if they have previously seen the patient, regardless if the patient paid cash or not and they come in for a follow up, the patient is still considered an "established" patient, correct?
Would it be possible to charge a preventative visit 99381-99397 along with an E&M IF an abnormality is encountered and addressed during this preventative visit? I say yes but wanted someone to confirm or deny.
I am concerned because insurance is not currently covering this service yet he has been told by another physician to simply NOT include the drug dependence & or long term use. Based on what I know, this is withheld information and the insurance company could easily come back and recoup their money not to mention what all else.
I have read that some employees have been fired because of the so called new legal program. It is coinciding with their company policies of random drug testing and have been found to have marijuana in their systems!
I want to have full knowledge of this before I move forward as I have worked too hard to obtain and keep my certification in good standing.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
My questions are: if they have previously seen the patient, regardless if the patient paid cash or not and they come in for a follow up, the patient is still considered an "established" patient, correct?
Would it be possible to charge a preventative visit 99381-99397 along with an E&M IF an abnormality is encountered and addressed during this preventative visit? I say yes but wanted someone to confirm or deny.
I am concerned because insurance is not currently covering this service yet he has been told by another physician to simply NOT include the drug dependence & or long term use. Based on what I know, this is withheld information and the insurance company could easily come back and recoup their money not to mention what all else.
I have read that some employees have been fired because of the so called new legal program. It is coinciding with their company policies of random drug testing and have been found to have marijuana in their systems!
I want to have full knowledge of this before I move forward as I have worked too hard to obtain and keep my certification in good standing.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you