Could Urgent Care Come to the Rescue When Patients Dial 911?

Could Urgent Care Come to the Rescue When Patients Dial 911?

A pilot program in Prince George’s County, Maryland has trained firefighters responding to 911 calls from patients who don’t meet the criteria for true emergent care. In one case cited in a Washington Post article, responders checked on a woman who was in the habit of calling 911 several times a week, with an unnecessary (and costly) trip to the emergency room following most often before the program launched. On that day, though, she had …

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Coding by Time, for Emergent Care, and for Nurse Practitioner Visits

Q. How does one determine whether an E/M code can qualify for coding according to time spent? Obviously, any psychiatric counseling would fit the criteria, but what about “teaching” (e.g. how to use an inhaler, how to perform a breast exam), or preventive medicine counseling? – Question submitted by Dr. Kim, Med7 Urgent Care, CA A. The key issues on counting counseling or coordination of care toward the E/M code are: Counseling and/or coordination of …

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