Part B Insider - 2004 Issue 7
Earning $75-$100 per Hospital Discharge Is as Easy as A, B, C
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This premium article discusses hospital discharge day management reporting and the documentation issues that affect whether discharge services can be billed. It is aimed at physicians, surgeons, coders, and billing staff who work with inpatient discharge documentation and evaluation and management reporting. The article focuses on broad guidance involving face-to-face contact, time documentation, same-day admit and discharge situations, global surgical periods, and related payer guidance.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate discharge documentation can affect whether a claim is paid and whether the reported service is supported by the record. The article helps readers understand the kinds of discharge scenarios and documentation elements that commonly create denials or audit risk.
Article Sections
-
Don't Forego Face-to-Face Meetings
Discusses the role of direct physician-patient contact during discharge processes and notes that payer expectations and documentation standards may vary. The section also references guidance from a carrier FAQ and the importance of supporting the service in the record.
-
Count Total Time for 99238 and 99239
Covers the time-based nature of hospital discharge day management reporting and the need to document time spent and related discharge activities. It also addresses how documentation style can affect support for the service.
-
Don't Report Discharges for Same-Day Admits
Explains that certain discharge services are not reported when admission and discharge occur on the same date and notes an exception involving discharge to a nursing facility. The section references related inpatient and observation reporting guidance.
What You Will Learn
- How hospital discharge day management services are documented and reported
- Why time documentation matters for discharge reporting
- How face-to-face contact considerations can affect discharge records
- Which discharge scenarios may affect whether a discharge service is reported
- How related inpatient, observation, and nursing facility situations are distinguished
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Surgeons
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Coding auditors
- Practice managers
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.


Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com