Author Topic: 2 office visits in one day  (Read 3853 times)

jeharr

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2 office visits in one day
« on: September 03, 2008, 04:18:37 PM »
My doctor saw a child for cellulitis during normal morning business hours.  The doctor saw the child again that same evening, after hours, due to the mom thinking the cellulitis was getting worse.  How would you code 2 office visits on the same day? 

Thanks for your help!
Jeri

Michele

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Re: 2 office visits in one day
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2008, 11:27:26 PM »
Hi Jeri,
   I haven't come across this situation before but I did a little research.  It looks like what you should do is only bill for one E&M visit for the day, but combine both visits to determine the code.

Per the CPT manual, "The most common practice is to report a single visit code per day, evaluating all services provided during that day to arrive at the correct level of service. Prolonged service codes may be used to report services beyond the usual."

So, combine the two services together, which may result in a higher level new pt visit or if the two services together were extensive, you may be able to use the prolonged service code(s).

 For example if both visits combined warrant billing a 99215, or even the extended visit code, then you would bill one 99215 instead of a 99213 and a 99212.  You can also bill for the after hours code. 

Hope that is helpful.

Michele
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jeharr

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Re: 2 office visits in one day
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2008, 12:20:04 PM »
Michele,

Thank you so much for your help.  That is what I figured should be done but I was doubting myself.

Jeri

Medical Billing Forum

Re: 2 office visits in one day
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2008, 12:20:04 PM »