Ask Dr. Z

We are getting conflicting information on CPT code 99221 (initial hospital care). Per CPT instruction it states 99221-99223 are to be used by the admitting physician while initial care by physicians other than the admitting physician should be reported by 99251-99255 or 99231-99233 as appropriate. Some coders say you can use 99221 multiple times by any physician that evaluates the patient the first time. Others say you can only report 99221 multiple times if it is on the date of admission. Yet others say follow the CPT instruction and report 99251-99255 or 99231-99233. Which of these is correct?