Pitfalls of Starting the Global Record Too Soon? You Could Miss Out on $115
Explore the importance of timing when beginning the OB global record. Understand how early initiation can affect billing and reimbursements.
OB/GYN Medical Billing & Coding Alert
Assess your understanding with the following three questions.
A patient has conducted a home pregnancy test, and your OBGYN confirms the pregnancy. It might seem logical to initiate the global record immediately, but that’s not true. You could potentially overlook $59 to $115 for each visit.
Assess your OB record expertise by answering these three questions.
3 Questions Challenge: When to Initiate the OB Record
Question 1: A patient arrives knowing she is pregnant due to a positive home pregnancy test, and the OBGYN simply confirms the result. When should you initiate the OB record?
Question 2: A patient comes in for her annual exam, and the OBGYN diagnoses her as pregnant. At what point should you begin the OB record?
Question 3: A patient visits your OB-GYN after her family physician has informed her of her pregnancy. She wishes to continue her OB care at your practice and has had an appointment with you within the last 12 months. When should you start the OB record?
Handling Positive Home-Test Cases
Answer 1: Initiate the OB record at the patient's next visit. Suppose the OBGYN only conducts a urine pregnancy test. In that case, you should report code 81025 (Urine pregnancy test, by visual color comparison methods) or possibly a low-level evaluation and management (E/M) service, such as 99202 for new patients or 99211-99212 for established patients, if there is a discussion about her health.
You will use Z32.01 (Encounter for a pregnancy test, result positive) when the OBGYN merely verifies the patient's pregnancy status. This code should accompany both the E/M code and the urine test because it reflects the most specific information known after the visit beyond her initial reason for presenting.
Annual Visit, Pregnancy Scenario
Answer 2: You should initiate the OB record at the patient's next visit. The patient came in for her annual exam, not specifically to initiate her pregnancy care.
If you start the OB record during the annual exam, most insurers will view that exam as part of the global OB service. While you cannot bill for the global service until delivery, you must notify the insurance company about the pregnancy.
Rule of thumb: Do not initiate global care until you confirm that the patient intends to continue her pregnancy.
Previous Physician Diagnosis Changes Situation
Answer 3: You should initiate the OB record during this visit, as the patient seeks to start her OB care. Since another physician made the initial diagnosis, the OBGYN likely won't need to confirm it again. Therefore, the OB record can be established, indicating that this service is part of the global OB package.
What's involved: The OB coordination process is typically extensive, lasting 30 minutes or more. It includes reviewing procedural guidelines and outlining a timetable for necessary lab tests, pelvic exams, amniocentesis, and more. The OBGYN will also provide vitamins and iron supplements and discuss when the patient should seek assistance.
Why Choose BillingFreedom for Expert Global Record In OBGYN Medical Billing Services?
BillingFreedom is your go-to expert for ob/gyn medical billing services, equipped with a deep understanding of the complexities of initiating and managing obstetrics billing services. Our team is fully trained in the nuances of billing for various scenarios, from confirming pregnancy via home tests to handling cases with previous physician diagnoses. We ensure accurate coding and compliance with insurance regulations, maximizing reimbursements for our clients. With our expertise, practices can confidently navigate the intricacies of global OB services while focusing on patient care, knowing that their billing is in capable hands with BillingFreedom.
For more details about our exceptional medical billing services, please don't hesitate to email us at info@billingfreedom.com or call us at +1 (855) 415-3472.
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