Consultations: Wash Away Doubts About Billing A Visit As Consult Or Referral

Why This Topic Matters

Correctly identifying whether a visit is a consultation or another type of office visit affects how the encounter is classified and documented. The article helps readers understand the broad policy and documentation issues that drive that distinction.

Article Sections

1. History and CMS transfer-of-care revision

   Introduces the background to changes in consultation language and the broader CMS framing of transfer of care.

2. Look for opinion

   Discusses the documentation themes around a request for opinion and the type of specialist encounter that may fit consultation billing.

3. Treatment done? Change method

   Covers situations where the request emphasizes treatment or further management rather than opinion, and how that changes the visit category.

4. You can bill treatment

   Summarizes the general CMS discussion of when diagnostic services or treatment may occur in relation to a consultation and subsequent follow-up.