Corporate Compliance

Note: More on condition code 44 and observation

Medicare Weekly Update, July 14, 2009

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We have received many questions on the articles we have published on the counting of hours of observation in cases where condition code 44 is used to convert an inpatient to an outpatient after UR review. A couple weeks ago I wrote about this issue following contact by a National Government Services representative, encouraging providers to contact their local MAC for more information.

I recently received some further clarification from National Government Services and wanted to update you. As you know, I’ve advised that hospitals should not be counting the time between the inpatient order and the change to outpatient status as observation – rather, I said, the observation time should begin with the change in status to outpatient when the observation order is written (assuming the appropriate level of care).

To view NGS' clarification, click over to the MedicareMentor Blog.


 



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