Question:
We placed a patient in observation and the next day the physician admitted him as an inpatient. Can we code for drug administration services for the time the patient was in observation status?
Answer:
Yes. While all the outpatient charges will be rolled up into the inpatient claim, it is appropriate to code the drug administration services during the time the patient was a registered “outpatient.” Make sure the date of the charges is consistent with the outpatient status; any infusions still running at the time of the physician order to admit as inpatient may be coded up until the time of the order.
CPT® copyright 2024 American Medical Association (AMA). All rights reserved.
Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is not recommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services. The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.
CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
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