Consultation Changes for 2010

Happy Holidays... Not much may change for me here in Idaho, but in the world of coding... things are changing fast and furious..... Below is a quick "down and dirty" of the changes that are on the horizon for the 2010 consultations. This came to me by way of Gail Eldridge (Coding Goddess extraordinaire!) so I am sharing with all of my Blogging friends! E-mail me if you have ??'s or concerns... networking is one of the best ways to problem solve!!! Enjoy your holiday and keep on coding!


What's Coming for Consultations in 2010

There are some major changes to inpatient consultation codes coming Jan.1st, 2010. Unfortunately I still have unclear guidance on exactly what the changes will mean to you. Stay tuned next month for more information

What we do know

- As of January 1st, 2010 Medicare will no longer pay for the inpatient or outpatient consultation codes (99241-99245 and 99251-99255)

- Outpatient consultations will be billed with the new patient E&M codes (99201-99205)

- Inpatient consultations will be billed with either an Initial hospital Care code(99221-99223) or a subsequent hospital care code (99231-99233)

- Medicare will now pay for more than 1 provider to bill the Initial hospital care code (99221-99223) multiple specialties will now be able to bill this code

- An unknown modifier will need to be appended to the Initial hospital care code(99221-99223) of the admitting physician

- Work RVU values will be increased for new patient E&M codes (99201-99205) and Initial hospital and subsequent hospital care codes (99221-99223 and 99231-99233)

- The 2010 CPT description of the consultation codes actually loosens the language of when you can bill a consultation. New language states "recommend care or assume ongoing management" it also states that the request for the consult can now be documented by the requesting or the rendering provider

- Telemedicine consultations will still be paid with the appropriate G-Codes


What we don't know- We have no idea which other payors will be paying for these codes if any or what RVU value will be assigned. It is suspected that several Idaho payors may continue to allow use of the inpatient and outpatient consultation codes

- The only payor that has announced they will pay for the consultation code set is on the east coast with no active members in Idaho

The "infamous" Christmas Letter.........

Yes..... It's that dreaded Christmas "letter"! So pour yourself a BIG glass of your favorite wine and settle in for lots of bragging. (I do have the cutest grandson EVER!!!) Oh yeah, and I didn’t win the lottery. ha ha ha...

Not much changes here @ our place in Idaho, so I really don't have a lot to "update" you on. So to spare you the gory details, and not bore you outta your mind... I'll just wish you a

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, and a BLESSED NEW YEAR.

Remember to say "I love you" to your family, friends, and all the wonderful people that we have in our lives. May God help you "fill in your dash" with the things that make you happy!

Oh, Yeah…..about that glass of wine…. Celebrate and toast to a really good 2009 and to the promise of 2010.


Love Always...

Lori-Lynne