If workers’ comp patient comes back, treat him as a ‘new’ patient

Why This Topic Matters

Workers’ compensation encounters can create confusion when the same patient later receives treatment from a physician who previously performed an IME. Understanding the article helps coding and billing staff classify the encounter appropriately and recognize when an additional office-hours service code may be relevant.

Article Sections

1. Question and answer about IME follow-up visits

   The article opens with a coding question about a workers’ compensation patient who returns after an independent medical examination. It explains the general scenario and the distinction between examination and treatment in that setting.

2. State and professional context for IME roles

   This section discusses how IME arrangements can vary by state and why the physician’s role may differ from that of a treating provider. It includes comments from legal and clinical sources about the uncommon nature of these follow-up situations.

3. Emergent treatment during the IME visit

   The article addresses what may happen if an urgent clinical need arises during the examination visit. It notes an additional billing consideration related to office hours and payer responsibility.