When an ER physician refers a patient to another physician, how should visits be reported?

When an emergency room (ER) physician refers a patient to another physician, each physician's involvement in the patient's care is distinct and requires accurate representation through coding. The correct approach is to use each physician's own emergency room code, which ensures that the specific services provided by the ER physician are documented and billed accordingly.

Using each physician's own ER code allows for a clear delineation of services. The ER physician’s code reflects the care provided during the initial visit, while the subsequent physician’s code accounts for the specialized care that may be needed based on the referral. This process not only supports proper reimbursement practices but also ensures that the healthcare services rendered are thoroughly captured in the patient’s medical record.

The other options don’t align with proper coding standards. A single combined visit would conflate distinct services, while general coding for ER visits overlooks the specifics of each physician's contribution. Allowing only the requesting physician to code could deny proper recognition of the initial ER care provided. Therefore, accurate reporting using each physician's individual codes ensures that all aspects of patient care are adequately accounted for in the coding process.