Establish Care

New Medicare patient comes in to meet our physician and then decide whether she wants to move her records. She refuses to sign a records release, which is fine, but she also won't let my physician address any of her health problems. I guess it's just a meet and greet kind of thing. Can he bill Medicare for the time he spent with her? What diagnosis code would we use? We are family practice.

Thanks,
Cindy

re: Establish Care

If he did not do key components, no charge to Medicare.
Get acquainted visit:
These services would not be considered medically necessary or preventive and should not be billed to the insurance. Unless your policy is to provide these visits at no charge, patients should be informed when they call to schedule this type of visit that insurance will not cover it and that payment will be expected at the time of service.
V65.49