consultation question

When a doctor is dictating a consultation letter and he states...

It is my pleasure to see Mrs. Jane Doe in my office today regarding her anemia.

Then he starts in with the HPI

Can this be considered the "Request" The majority of the docs write... Thankyou for the kind referral of Mrs. Jane Doe regarding her anemia.

Is that general statement he uses ok to be considered a consult or should I change this to a new patient?

Thanks, AGAIN!

consultation question

In order to be sure you can bill a consultation you need to identify the requesting providers intention.
I recommend that you visit your medicare carriers web site for thier education on Consultation. Our Iowa carrier has alot of educational matierial for us. Our carrier says there must be a mechanism to determine the request and the nature of that request.
In your examples I would not allow a consultation code until I have idetified that a consult, request for opinoin and advise, and not a transfer of care has been requested. In your second example you even thank the provider for the "referral" which does not mean you have been asked to consult rather a transfer of care.
Louise