Reader Question: Take Care When Billing for Same-Day E/M Visits

Why This Topic Matters

Same-day physician encounters can create duplicate-claim issues and payment denials if they are not reported consistently. Understanding the general handling of same-day E/M services helps practices avoid rejected claims and coordinate billing across providers.

Article Sections

1. Question

   Introduces a practice billing scenario involving two surgeons seeing the same patient on the same day. The question asks whether separate E/M services may be reported.

2. Answer

   Provides the article’s general response to the same-day billing issue and explains the payer-edit concern at a high level. It also discusses how same-day physician services may be handled when billed within a practice versus across different groups.

3. Better way

   Summarizes the recommended general approach to combining physician work for reporting purposes and notes that separate group billing may be treated differently by insurers.