Consults

I am wondering how to get paid for consults now that Medicare eliminated payment for them. Hospital care visits are being bundled with surgical procedures, so that payments are not being made for legitimate services. Any information would be appreciated.

Bill an initial hospital visit code for your initial visit

You still get paid, just a bit less. If it is the same day as surgery and visit was to determine need for surgery then use the modifier.

consults

Look at the article in the data base.

We are all waiting for CMS to release its transmittal, with more details. Since the carriers/MACs must change their processing Jan 1, it has to be coming out soon! We'll let everyone know when it does.

consults

Per CMS as of Jan 1 2010 Medicare will no longer accept consult codes, instead they want you to use 99201-99215 for outpatient services, 99251-99255 for inpatient services, 99221-99223 for initial hospital services, and 99304-99306 for nusring facility services. The reimbursment for office vists will increase by 6% in 2010.