Wiki Please help clarify: Bill for preop visit?

[trinalankford]

I am getting mixed signals on this.

When a patient comes to our doc (surgeon) as a consult from another physician, when can I bill for this office call? If surgery isn't scheduled? Can I EVER bill when surgery is scheduled AS A RESULT of this office call? The point of the office call is to evaluate whether or not the patient requires surgery.

Thank you.

 

[FTessaBartels]

New patient?

If this is a new patient you can certainly bill for the office visit (may be a consult or may be a new patient).

If a decision was made for surgery, and that surgery is being done within 24 hours, then you will need a -57 modifier as well.

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC