Sticky Situation!

I have a doc that charged an E&M for an established pt. The patient ended up not liking the doc and threw a fit in the office, so another doc went in and spent over 40 minutes with this patient... How in the world do I bill for that!! the only thing I can see is a Modifer 77 on a second E&M code? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

same group, same specialty

means one charge only. Depending on the problem and documentation, code a New Patient visit. You can count both doctor's notes. And divide the income as they want.

I don't keep patients who throw fits. Not "clicking" with a doctor s one thing; making a spectacle of it is another. If this was my practice, the second doctor would never have gone in; there would be no charge and the patient told that we cannot meet their needs and to kindly find another doctor/group. There will inevitably be a time when doc #1 is covering on a weekend/vacation and then the patient will start making unreasonable demands for another doctor, or worse get a lawyer.

sticky situation

I agree: no separate charge, because payers pay for physicians in a group of the same specialty as if they were one doctor.

I also agree with signature doc: this patient will be more trouble than he/she's worth!