A gravida presented to the labor and delivery (L&D) unit of the hospital with symptoms indicative of preterm labor. A physician examined the patient and counseled her without admitting her. Is this considered an “office visit” under the global obstetric code and, therefore, counted toward the 13 antepartum visits, or is it considered a separate E/M visit that should be billed on the date of service?
A
Since the physician performed an out-patient service (because the gravida was not admitted to the hospital or for observation care), most payers may consider the visit as a part of the global care, even though the service was performed in the hospital, not in an office.
