Are you able to bill an E/M for a patient if the patient is seen in your family practice office for an office visit but the end result of the visit was a referral to be seen in the ER?
Example 1 - Child comes in for a laceration, doctor is prepared to suture child's laceration, however, the child is unwilling. It is determined that it would be best to send the child to the ER for sedation and then suture.
Example 2 - Patient comes in for evaluation of a painful hand 15 minutes prior to office closure. Doctor completes evaluation and recommends a hand x-ray. The clinic is family practice and does not complete x-rays on sight. Patient is instructed to go to the hospital for an x-ray but because it is after hours, the hospital will not call in staff to complete x-ray unless patient is seen through the ER. Doctor refers patient to be seen in the ER.
Example 3 - Patient comes in to the clinic for a bee sting. Patient is having a severe reaction, doctor immediately evaluates and sends patient to the ER for further treatment due to possible anaphylactic reaction.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Example 1 - Child comes in for a laceration, doctor is prepared to suture child's laceration, however, the child is unwilling. It is determined that it would be best to send the child to the ER for sedation and then suture.
Example 2 - Patient comes in for evaluation of a painful hand 15 minutes prior to office closure. Doctor completes evaluation and recommends a hand x-ray. The clinic is family practice and does not complete x-rays on sight. Patient is instructed to go to the hospital for an x-ray but because it is after hours, the hospital will not call in staff to complete x-ray unless patient is seen through the ER. Doctor refers patient to be seen in the ER.
Example 3 - Patient comes in to the clinic for a bee sting. Patient is having a severe reaction, doctor immediately evaluates and sends patient to the ER for further treatment due to possible anaphylactic reaction.
Thanks for your thoughts!