Hospitalists and Initial Hospital Visit

Question from one of my clients:

Hem-Oncs see an established Medicare chemo patient in the office. The patient has a very low white count. Hem-Onc calls the Hospitalist to admit the patient. Patient is admitted. The Hospitalist calls the Hem-Onc in to evaluate that patient the next day. Under consult rules, this would have been a subsequent hospital visit. My interpretation is that, under the new rules, the initial eval would be billed to 99221-99223, right? Am I crazy?

I am not a psychiatrist but

you are not crazy- 99211 is the Initial Hospital Visit- it does not matter whether you have an established relationship or saw them the previous day at the office or at home or at the grocery store.

Dear Shrink

You mean 99221, dear Dr. Freud...don't you?

Sorry

Freudian slip; yes, 99221