Q&A: Same-day office, ICU treatments are separate

Our geriatric practice treats many chronically ill patients. We often find that we treat patients in the office, only to admit them to the ICU the same day. Insurers are rejecting claims for the office visit and critical care on the same day, saying they are bundled. Is this true?

If you saw patients in the office, admitted them, and then provided critical care services on the same day, it is entirely appropriate to report the office visit (or initial hospital care) and critical care on the same date, according to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). However, the office visit and initial hospital care would be bundled together.