MBS ANSWERS

If we have to move post-op patients to ICU because of nursing shortages on the ward, can we bill ICU item numbers?

Context

We sometimes have to put patients in intensive care when there are not enough nurses on the acute post surgical ward or they are too junior. The patients would not normally be ICU patients and don't actually need ICU care - for example - they are not ventilated. They are just normal post-op patients needing care on an acute surgical ward, but we are concerned about the nursing staff so we move them into ICU for a night or two. Once they are in ICU is it correct that we can bill the ICU Medicare items?

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