Questions: If I admit a patient to the hospital for Stroke, will I be able to use the "high risk" category every day of the hospitalization based on the diagnosis of stroke even if there are no further neurological changes after admission?
Typically you only use high risk for 'abrupt change in neurologic status.' It is not for impairment; if there is no change from day 1 to 2, then they don't have high risk because there is no 'abrupt change.' And before you ask the question: if they abruptly 'get better' and are fine, that does not qualify for high risk either.
Question If a patient has some sort of acute organ dysfunction (ie. acute renal failure, congestive heart failure, small bowel obstruction) does that qualify as "threat to bodily function" for high risk?
Most people would code any type of organ failure as threat to bodily function (organ failure=body function). But remember that high risk does not always mean a high level visit. You have to meet all the appropriate requirements for history, exam, and decision-making.
Question I am a board certified Pediatrician seeing ADD and ADHD patients. I bring in the parents and sometimes grandparents of the children for counseling without having the children present for the counseling. Sometimes it is easier to counsel the families with difficult questions and problems without the patients being present. How would someone bill for this service without a face to face visit?
I'm going to give you an answer by having you watch chapter 12 from our Advanced Coding Growth Strategies seminar:
Patients Not Seen from Paul Firth on Vimeo.