First Patient Encounter

Question:

I saw a new patient in the outpatient clinic several weeks ago. Now, the patient has been admitted to the hospital. The admitting physician has asked me to see the patient again for that same condition. This is my first time seeing them in the hospital for an inpatient visit. What EM code do I bill for this visit?

Answer:

The E/M code for an initial inpatient visit, regardless of whether the patient was new or established to you, would be billed with either an inpatient consultation code (99252-99255) or an initial hospital code (99221, 99222, 99223 ) with the appropriate level based on MDM or Time.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 5/22/25.