Wiki OBS coding

[rachell1976]

Patient presented to ER w/ Chest pain. Internal Med. MD on call was consulted via phone and determined to admit pt to OBS. This was 7-16-09 @ 23:28.

IM MD did not physically examine patient until 7-17 @ 17:00 at which time he dictated an H&P and D/C note all in one.

PT was discharged 7-17 @ 19:25.

Do I bill obs/ discharge for the 17th even though pt was physically admitted to obs the 16th?

 

[FTessaBartels]

99234-99236

The services of admission and discharge were performed on the same date of service (7-17-09). Makes no difference when the hospital admitted / discharged the patient ... the key is when the PHYSICIAN performed the service.

Code using 99234-99236 depending on documentation.

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC

 

[rachell1976]

thanks. That is what I thought, but had a moment of self doubt!