Wiki Newborn discharge vs. new well/office visit

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eafaoro1

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Our pediatric group will only discharge a newborn and use 99238 or 99239. This is because a hospitalist is the one treating the newborn up till the newborn needs to be discharged. The newborn will than be seen in our pediatric group for their 1st well visit exam. Would this be a "new" 99381 or an "established" 99391? Our doctors are thinking it would be a new patient since they didn't do a full work up because the hospitalist is the one taking care of the newborn. I am thinking it would still be an established patient but I do understand where the pediatrics doctors think it should be a "new" patient. Any advise please?
 
Newborn discharge

I would assume that your docs are examining the newborn for discharge. If that is the case, the baby would not be a new patient when seen in the office. If your doctors are not examining the baby for discharge, then they should not be billing for the discharge, and the baby would be a new patient for that first office visit.
 
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