SPLIT/SHARED VISITS: CMS Clarifies Split/Shared Visit Rule Now That Consults Are No Longer Payable

Why This Topic Matters

The article highlights Medicare billing clarifications that can affect how practices report E/M services, inpatient hospital encounters, and bone density testing. It is important for avoiding payment errors and aligning reporting with current CMS guidance.

Article Sections

1. Split/Shared Visits and E/M Billing After Consult Payment Changes

   Discusses CMS comments on split/shared visit reporting in the context of Medicare consultation payment changes. The section centers on general E/M billing guidance and the clarification effort surrounding prior confusion.

2. CMS Advises Practices to Rein in Initial Inpatient Billing

   Addresses a billing question about initial and subsequent hospital care reporting for a patient seen more than once on the same date. The section also references CMS commentary on per diem inpatient services and related published rules.

3. Use Current Bone Density Codes

   Covers a question about bone density test reporting in light of newer coding guidance versus older listed codes. The section focuses on which code set version practices should continue using.