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tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2001 Issue 9

Documentation Is Crucial in Supporting Psych E/M Level

Primary psychiatric visits to the ED are common. However, the acutely suicidal or psychotic patient can be a challenge to the ED physician and coder. Acute cases can usually be coded 99285 (emergency department visit for the evaluation and management of a patient ...) because the patient's psychiatric illness typically poses a threat to life or bodily function. But the physician must clearly document all the elements required to support a level-five service. "Many psychiatric visits are from chronic 'frequent fliers' who, after careful screening and medication refills, can be released," says Michael Granovsky, MD, chief financial...

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