Chief complaint

Is it ok to use refill medications as a chief complaint. If not what would you use if that is the reason for the visit.

re: Chief complaint

The chief complaint is the diagnosis, sign or symptom as reason for visit OR, the reason for the encounter, such as medication review or refill. Unless your practice provides a medically necessary evaluation and management (E/M) service in addition to the medication refill, you should not use code 99211. Refills alone are not separately reportable services. A level-I nursing visit (99211) requires evaluation and management of a patient, per physician plan of care.

re: Chief complaint

So should we use a chronic condition as the chief complaint when they want refills.

re: Chief complaint

If the patient presents for evaluation of a chronic condition and needs refills of the medication, use the diagnosis code of the chronic condition.

Look at the ICD-9 guidelines at the start of the book for outpatient guidelines.