Wiki Inpatient Consult PLEASE HELP!!

[smshortcake]

I am so very confused about the codes 99251-99255, 99221-99223, and 99231-99233.

I know Medicare no longer accepts 99251-99255 although it seems like some of the commercial insurances still do.

Here is where I am confused: The doctor I am billing for is a rheumatologist. She visits the hospital and sees a patient for a consult on the day they are admitted as well as the next 3 consecutive days. For Medicare, which codes are used to bill these 4 days of service? Which codes are used if it is one of the commercial insurances that still accept 99251-99255?

Please help!! Thanks!

 

[Bnevin]

With Medicare and or Medicare HMO plans Bill one of the 99221 - 99223 (depending on the documentation level supported) for day one. Then for days 2, 3 and 4 use the hospital follow up codes 99231 - 99233

For comercial insuance plans that still accept consultation codes use the consult code on day 1 then hospital follow up codes for days 2, 3 and 4.

hope this helps

Betty Nevin CPC, CPC-H