Hi. I am thrilled to be @ home and be able to have a site to answer billing questions.
I'm an ophthalmic tech and part of my responsibilities are to code dx and procedures on our billing sheets. Ophthalmology codes are different in that we not only have the "e &m" codes, but also have codes specific to ophth. I've been at my current practice almost 1 year. Today I was told that we cannot bill a consult on an established patient. That doesn't make sense to me. I'll explain the scenario: We have a pt that we have been seeing yearly for 3 yrs because they are diabetic. A new doctor has referred (in writing) this same pt. for a new problem, not connected to diabetes. I was told that we can't bill a consult code(sorry, I don't have the proc code of which I am speaking at my fingertips right now) I don't see why not. This is a new doctor asking us to see the pt for a new problem. As long as my doctor writes a letter, and the work up of the pt meets the requirements of a "Consult", why not bill the office visit as a consult?
If I need to give you the actual procedure code #'s I can bring them home with me after work tomorrow. Thanks!
Just to let you know, I'm dicussing this with the biller that has been with this particular doctor for 8 yrs. She may not want to hear that the "newbie" knows more than she does about this subject! Or maybe
I am in the wrong?