Question

Marie presented in the ED with dehydration due to nausea and vomiting. Dr. Barnes (the hospitalist) was present when Marie came in. He took a comprehensive history and performed a comprehensive examination. He decided to admit Marie under his service as a 23-hour admit in observation. He ordered labs and an IV to rehydrate her.Dr. Barnes should have billed a 99282-25 for his evaluation in the emergency department and then billed a 99219 for Marie's continued care in observation.

1. true
2. false

Answer 1

No, Dr. Barnes should not have billed a 99282-25 for his evaluation in the emergency department. He should bill a different code for Marie's continued care in observation.

Step-by-step explanation:

No, Dr. Barnes should not have billed a 99282-25 for his evaluation in the emergency department. The code 99282-25 is for a subsequent hospital care encounter, which means it is used when the physician provides care for a patient who has been hospitalized under their care. In this case, Marie was not admitted to the hospital, but rather placed in observation for 23 hours. For Marie's continued care in observation, Dr. Barnes should bill a 99234 or a 99235 code depending on the complexity of the case.