tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2005 Issue 5

Reader Questions: Don't Expect Incident-To in the ED

Question: A patient presented in the ED after a fall from a ladder. During the exam, the physician performed x-rays of the forearm and discovered that the patient had a nondisplaced fracture of the distal radius. The nurse applied an orthopedic glass splint and told the patient to follow up with an orthopedist at a later date. The ED physician thinks this is restorative care, but I disagree because he did not apply the splint. Who is correct?Georgia Subscriber Answer: The nurse applying a splint is not likely to meet the definition of restorative care, which usually includes...

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