How to bill when patient comes for Labs results

[nandnmedicalsrv@bellsouth.net]

PLease I need help how should we bill a case in which the patient comes just for the Labs results.

[dr.dreama.kelly]

You would bill based on counseling time. The doctor needs to document the amount of time talking to the patient about the lab results -- the counseling time must be great than half of the visit. I recommend for doctors to document it like this: _____mins of this _____min encounter was spent counseling the patient.

Second the doctor needs to summarize their conversation -- as well as summarize the pertinent positive's or negatives that were revealed in the labs.

And then bill based on the time spent counseling. Example: 15 min = 99213, 25 min = 99214, 40 mins = 99215.

Hope this helps!

[karebilling]

To follow up what dx code do you use? The same dx code that was used for the labs?

Thank You!

[dr.dreama.kelly]

Exactly!!!! Use the diagnosis code that was used for the lab or if the working diagnosis changed use that!!!!