Reader Question: Established Patients Last 3 Years

Why This Topic Matters

Correct patient status affects office visit billing and prevents errors when a patient has been seen previously in the same group practice. The article is useful for practices that need a clear, general understanding of how elapsed time and specialty context influence whether a visit is treated as new or established.

Article Sections

1. Question

   The reader presents a billing scenario involving a patient who returned for a different service after a prior visit.

2. Answer

   The response explains the general patient-status framework used for billing within a 36-month period and references AMA guidance.

3. Caveat

   This section notes practice-level considerations, including group billing arrangements and the role of location.

4. Distinction

   This section discusses how specialty differences within a multi-specialty practice can affect patient-status treatment.