Question

Pt. admitted to hosp. in respiratory failure & kidney failure. Placed in ICU where ICU physician works on pt. for 1 hour to restore breathing function & to dialyze him until stable

A) Initial Inpatient Consultation (99251)

B) Subsequent Inpatient Consultation (99232)

C) Intensive Care Services (99292)

D) Prolonged Services (99356)

Answer 1

The scenario indicates the need for the Intensive Care Services (99292) billing code, as the patient required critical care interventions in the ICU for respiratory and kidney failure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described represents a patient who was admitted to the hospital in respiratory and kidney failure and required intensive intervention in the ICU by a physician for stabilization. Given the treatment includes restoring breathing function and dialysis, and because the services were extensive and stabilized a critically ill patient, the most appropriate billing code would be for Intensive Care Services (99292). This assumes that the physician's interventions were over and above typical ICU care coordination and required direct personal management, and the time spent was significant. Codes for initial inpatient consultation, subsequent inpatient consultation, or prolonged services do not accurately reflect the critical care management scenario presented.