Medical Billing Forum

Coding => Coding => : macbook March 15, 2012, 02:39:35 PM

: 99223 then discharged as 99217 on the next day
: macbook March 15, 2012, 02:39:35 PM

Hi everyone,

My provider is a hospitalist and sent us a cpt code 99223 on the first DOS and second day is 99217. I was trying to explain to him that the first day should be an observation cpt code instead but he insists on the 99223 inspite the 99217 observation discharge.

But is it possible to use a 99223 then the next day changed the status to observation? In my understanding the only time that a change can take place is from observation status to inpatient but never the other way around. Am I mistaken in my thought process?

Please help.

Thank you so much.

: Re: 99223 then discharged as 99217 on the next day
: PMRNC March 15, 2012, 02:59:50 PM

This can't be answered without the doctors documentation. Look to the documentation to determine the proper coding. If that is how he documented on each day than that is how it should be coded.

: Re: 99223 then discharged as 99217 on the next day
: macbook March 15, 2012, 03:44:35 PM

Thanks Linda.