| May 2006 · Vol. 18, No. 5 REIMBURSEMENT ADVISER
For observation codes, it’s when, not whereMelanie
Witt,
RN, CPC-OGS, MAIndependent coding and documentation consultant; former program manager, Department of Coding and Nomenclature, American, College of Obstetricians, and Gynecologists
Q When a patient presents to the hospital for preterm labor and is seen within 23 hours, which observation codes are appropriate: 99217–99220 (Initial observation care with discharge on second day) or 99234–99236 (Observation or inpatient care services including admission and discharge on the same day)?
There is no designated area in our hospital for 99217–99220, if I understand the coding book correctly.
|
