Bill for floor time when meeting with family in hospital - even if you are not the attending

Why This Topic Matters

Correctly identifying when inpatient floor time is reportable can affect claim accuracy and reimbursement. The article is relevant for clinicians and coders who manage shared inpatient care, consultative situations, and family communication during hospitalization.

Article Sections

1. Bill for floor time when meeting with family in hospital

   Introduces the overall topic of inpatient billing when a physician is not the attending and spends time with family members on the hospital floor. It distinguishes general presence from services tied to patient care.

2. Supplemental codes and time-based hospital visits

   Discusses the broad categories of inpatient E/M reporting referenced in the article and how supplemental involvement is framed. It also addresses the role of time-based reporting in the hospital setting.

3. CPT and Medicare differences

   Summarizes that the article compares guidance from CPT with Medicare rules for inpatient floor time and family discussions. It notes that the two sources are not treated identically.

4. Floor time and family discussions

   Covers the general concept of floor time and how time spent communicating with family may factor into service selection. It also notes that the discussion remains focused on the patient’s care needs.

5. Other possibilities

   Mentions an alternate inpatient reporting category when the physician is asked for opinion or advice. This section situates that possibility within the broader inpatient billing discussion.