decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2011 Issue 9 (September)
Gastroenterology RoundUp: New vs. established patient visit for colonoscopy follow-up
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Article Overview
This article explains a Medicare-oriented patient status question arising after a colonoscopy encounter and a follow-up office visit. It is intended for coders, billing staff, and clinicians who need to understand the general policy framework for new versus established patient classification in the context of gastroenterology and office E/M reporting.
Why This Topic Matters
Patient status affects how follow-up visits are classified and billed. Understanding the applicable Medicare framework helps practices avoid inconsistent E/M reporting after procedure-related encounters.
What You Will Learn
- How Medicare defines new versus established patient status in broad terms
- How a prior face-to-face service can affect follow-up visit classification
- What type of official Medicare reference is cited for this topic
- How this issue relates to gastroenterology practice workflows
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing specialists
- Gastroenterology practices
- Physician office staff
- Compliance teams
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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