dballard2004
True Blue
I have an issue with determing if in this scenario the patient would be new or established.....I am aware of CPT and the three year rule for new vs. established patients and that CPT says it is a face to face or a professional service.
Here is my question...a patient who has never been to the clinic before presents for a urine drug screen (pre-employment) and sees the MA for this. The patient returns a few weeks later for a problem-oriented visit and sees the provider (MD). Am I correct that this patient would be a new patient because they were only seen the first time by the MA and no provider?
What would happen if the the patient saw the provider for the urine drug screen? Would this then establish his/her care since no E/M service was techincally provided? Pre-employment drug screens are pretty straightforward. There really is little to no history (certainly no HPI) and no exam is performed either. New or established in this case?
Here is my question...a patient who has never been to the clinic before presents for a urine drug screen (pre-employment) and sees the MA for this. The patient returns a few weeks later for a problem-oriented visit and sees the provider (MD). Am I correct that this patient would be a new patient because they were only seen the first time by the MA and no provider?
What would happen if the the patient saw the provider for the urine drug screen? Would this then establish his/her care since no E/M service was techincally provided? Pre-employment drug screens are pretty straightforward. There really is little to no history (certainly no HPI) and no exam is performed either. New or established in this case?