I just attended some conferences with a company I will not name, and we were told that if for example a patient comes in and they are on a prescription related to one of their problems, and the doctor just documents and tells the patient that they need to continue it (in his words, "even if they have enough for 5 years at home) then if you meet the HPI (4) and the other parts of history, it automatically becomes a 99214 because of the mention of the prescription. I totally disagree but would love someone else's input.
My theory is if someone comes in for vaginitis as a new patient with a new problem and given a cream for example then yes you very well could have a 99204 if everything is met but if that same patient comes back for her follow up and you tell her to continue with the cream, this does not meet a 99214.
In my mind, medical necessity should play a larger role. A UTI follow up a 99214? I really highly doubt it. He instructed to the physicians that they did not even need to go over social history if they reviewed medications since this gives them the (1) they need. I just find this as a terrible way to direct physicians. This same patient may have recently been divorced, lost a child etc and may very well have a new dx of depression.
Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated!
Have a good weekend
Bonnie
My theory is if someone comes in for vaginitis as a new patient with a new problem and given a cream for example then yes you very well could have a 99204 if everything is met but if that same patient comes back for her follow up and you tell her to continue with the cream, this does not meet a 99214.
In my mind, medical necessity should play a larger role. A UTI follow up a 99214? I really highly doubt it. He instructed to the physicians that they did not even need to go over social history if they reviewed medications since this gives them the (1) they need. I just find this as a terrible way to direct physicians. This same patient may have recently been divorced, lost a child etc and may very well have a new dx of depression.
Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated!
Have a good weekend
Bonnie