Wiki office admit to hospital

[katymatte]

If a dr does a direct admit from the office to the hospital, does a physician in our practice have to actually see the pt face to face at the hospital?

 

[FTessaBartels]

Maybe

YES if the physician intends to bill for the hospital initial visit, then the physician MUST see the patient face-to-face in the hospital. However, the physician MAY use the documentation of the office visit which occurred on the same date of service to arrive at the level of service.

NO if the physician is NOT going to bill for the initial hospital visit. In which case, if the admitting physician is NOT in your practice/your specialty, then you can bill the office visit.

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC