New patient encounter to establish care

Does Medicare consider a new patient visit to establish a new primary care physician a billable visit? The patient has chronic diseases, but no current complaint. A full history and exam is done and they address the treatment plan in the MDM.

re: New patient encounter to establish care

Medicare considers a new patient as one who has not been seen by a physician or any other physician in the group in 3 years. I don't understand what you are asking.

re: New patient encounter to establish care

The chief complaint would be "here to establish new primary care physician". The patient has no complaints.

re: New patient encounter to establish care

My concern is that they would look at this the same way they look at annual physicals and that they would question the medical necessity.

re: New patient encounter to establish care

There is no medical necessity. I would not bill for this.

re: New patient encounter to establish care

Thank You!

re: New patient encounter to establish care

Absolutely bill for this; the doctor reviewed meds for medical appropriateness for the chronic illnesses, examined the patient, formulated a treatment plan.

Not every patient has a "complaint"- 90% of patients feel "fine" and are seen for chronic illness monitoring.

re: New patient encounter to establish care

The physician should document the status of the patient's chronic diseases in the HPI. Yes, they may feel fine, but many chronic illnesses don't have symptoms unless the disease is very far progressed or out of control.

THe HPI should note, "Has hypertension, takes pressures at home, using XXX, no dizziness, CP" or something like that. A brief description of the chronic illness.

Yes, bill for this.