E/M Coding Alert - 2011 Issue 11
Reader Question: In The Midnight Hour: How To Report An ED Visit That Transcends The Calendar Date
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article addresses a reader question about emergency department reporting when a single encounter spans two calendar dates. It explains the general claim-date approach, notes that ED evaluation and management services are not based on time or calendar day, and mentions related guidance for continuous services such as critical care. The piece is aimed at coding professionals who need practical clarification on date-of-service reporting for late-night encounters.
Why This Topic Matters
Encounters that cross midnight can create confusion in claim reporting and date-of-service selection. Understanding the general guidance helps coders and billing staff apply consistent reporting practices for emergency department services and similar continuous-care situations.
Article Sections
-
Question
Introduces the reader’s scenario involving an emergency department encounter that begins late one day and continues past midnight.
-
Kentucky Subscriber Answer
Provides a subscriber response discussing general reporting considerations for encounters spanning calendar dates and references related CPT guidance.
What You Will Learn
- How late-night emergency department encounters are discussed in relation to claim reporting
- The general topic of date-of-service selection when a service crosses midnight
- How related continuous-service guidance is framed in the context of CPT guidance
- Why this scenario is relevant for emergency department and critical care coding
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Emergency department coding professionals
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com