Coding Corner Question

Established, New, or Consult? You Decide

1. On March 2, 2010, a patient who has not seen Dr. Baker since January 4, 2008 returns for a visit. Dr. Baker is on vacation, so the patient sees Dr. Clark, who is a partner in the practice and also a rheumatologist. What type of patient would this be for Dr. Clark?
   1. Established
   2. New
   3. Consult
2. Dr. Green works in a group rheumatology practice. He sees a Medicare patient for the first time, but this patient has been seen by one of his partners in the past year. What type of patient would this be for Dr. Green?
   1. Established
   2. New
   3. Consult
3. Dr. Brown is a rheumatologist in a multispecialty practice. She sees a Medicare patient for the first time. The patient has been seen by Dr. Jones, who is an endocrinologist in the practice, for the past few months. What type of patient would this be for Dr. Brown?
   1. Established
   2. New
   3. Consult
4. Dr. Black leaves his old practice and joins another practice. A patient from the previous practice comes to see him at his new practice. He last saw the patient four months ago. What type of patient would this be for Dr. Black?
   1. Established
   2. New
   3. Consult
5. Dr. Smith leaves her old practice and joins another rheumatology practice. A Medicare patient from the previous practice visits with one of her partners for the first time. What type of patient would this be for Dr. Smith’s partner?
   1. Established
   2. New
   3. Consult

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