Wiki pre-existing diagnoses

[jjperry1@comcast.net]

A patient is treated for degenerative arthritis of the left knee four years ago. Patient returns to office today for exacerbation of left knee arthritis. Even if the patient has not been seen for four years, would this be considered a pre-existing problem?

 

[MarcusM]

You would have a new patient E&M for treatment of an acute flare up of a chronic problem. The chronic problem had been controlled and stable, and now has a new onset of pain, maybe exacerbated or aggravated by an increased level of activity or an "event."

 

[jjperry1@comcast.net]

May I charge for an evaluation and injection of the knee at this visit?