According to CPT® coding guidelines, how many consultations should be reported during a single hospital admission?

The correct answer is that only one consultation should be reported during a single hospital admission. According to the CPT coding guidelines, a consultation is defined as a service requested by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional to assess and provide advice regarding a patient's condition.

Consultations are distinct encounters but are limited by the scope of care needed during a single hospital stay. Once a consultation is performed and reported, if the same consultant continues to provide care throughout the admission, further consultations are not reported. This one-time consultation rule helps ensure that the coding accurately reflects the nature of the services provided and prevents multiple consultations from being billed for the same episode of care.

In situations where further evaluations or follow-up services are necessary, these may be categorized differently, such as subsequent visits or ongoing care, but they do not count as additional consultations. Understanding this guideline is crucial for accurate medical billing and compliance with CPT standards.