Pro fee coding for Hospitalists

I would appreciate some guidance regarding outpatient pro fee coding for Hospitalists. I have looked at the Tools4Coding.com Updated for 2009 and notice there is an article on how to code for inpatient services. This is geared toward CCS and we are CPC and need the same type of advice. Every aspect of coding for the Hospitalists is new including what diagnosis codes are primary, what key words should we be looking for as well as following the E&M guidelines. Any resources, guidance etc. would be very much appreciated. I am very impressed with the Tools4Coding.



Thank you in advance



Medcoder, CPC

You confuse me

How can you need help with outpatient coding for hospitalists? They work in the inpatient setting. I don't understand CCS or CPC so maybe it is my ignorance...

Hospitalist services

Here's an article about generally billing for hospitalists.

It's all inpatient E/M services, except for the occasional outpatient consult in the ED.

http://www.codapedia.com/~article_145_.cfm

and, be careful of post op services:

http://www.codapedia.com/~article_154_.cfm

Do you have a specific question?

Hospitalist's coding

We code only the E&M.

Pro fees for Hospitalists

They will generally be coding for initial inpatient admissions, subsequent hsopital visits, consultations, observation, discharges, occasionally in the ED, and possibly critical care. All will require all 3 components of history, exam, MDM, except the subsequent hospital visit (2 of 3) & time based critical care codes. There may be an occasional situation where a patient is referred to a hospitalist from another facility for possible inpatient admission. Upon exam of the patient, the hospitalist could determine that inpatient admission is not required, and would bill for an outpatient service.

Pro fee Hospitalists

Great - thank you.