Question

Child who is 25 days old was admitted 2 days ago to neonatal ICU due to cardiac & respiratory insufficiency. Today his physician is again monitoring his cardiac & respiratory support & reevaluating his status. Child under constant supervision by healthcare team that is supervised by physician.

A) Subsequent Hospital Care (99232)

B) Initial Hospital Care (99223)

C) Critical Care Services (99292)

D) Neonatal Intensive Care Services (99468)

Answer 1

The correct billing code for the physician's services for the neonate in ICU is Neonatal Intensive Care Services (99468), as the infant is receiving critical, comprehensive care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario describes a 25-day-old neonate who has been admitted to the neonatal ICU for cardiac and respiratory insufficiency and who is under constant supervision by a healthcare team led by a physician. When addressing the question of which billing code should be applied for the physician’s services, the appropriate code would be Neonatal Intensive Care Services (99468). This is because the neonate is in the intensive care unit, receiving critical care services that include comprehensive monitoring and management of a seriously ill neonate. The infant's condition necessitates intensive observation, frequent interventions, and continuous care, which are all encompassed within the neonatal intensive care billing code.