MLH614
New
I can't find any guidelines on this. Should providers wait for lab results before closing/signing off on the encounter?
Example: If they order a Vit D lab because the patient is experiencing fatigue. The lab result comes back with a vit D deficiency. Does the provider change the fatigue diagnosis code to Vit D defitiency and then sign off? Or does the provider sign off once they've ordered the lab and then create an addendum to add the Vit D deficiency?
Once it's signed off it will be billed so it would be billed without the appropriate diagnosis if they sign off before the results arrive.
Example: If they order a Vit D lab because the patient is experiencing fatigue. The lab result comes back with a vit D deficiency. Does the provider change the fatigue diagnosis code to Vit D defitiency and then sign off? Or does the provider sign off once they've ordered the lab and then create an addendum to add the Vit D deficiency?
Once it's signed off it will be billed so it would be billed without the appropriate diagnosis if they sign off before the results arrive.