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Practical Medical Coding for
Hospital Outpatient Care
Clear, real-world guidance for ER, Observation &
Infusion coding written by a facility coding specialist.
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Hospital Facility Outpatient Coders
Charge Capture Specilist
Coders who want clear answers not just guidelines
Condition Code 44 is used when a patient initially admitted as an inpatient is determined, while still in the hospital and before an inpatient claim is submitted, not to meet inpatient criteria. The hospital changes the status to outpatient/observation and bills under outpatient rules; the decision must be documented by utilization review.
Guidelines don't fail Coders,
documentation does.
Guidelines tell us how to code, documentation tells us what we can code.
High-Risk Area Related to Documentation
Code 44
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