PookieMD's Blog: Where Physicians Learn About the Business of Medicine

What if physicians were reimbursed for talking about end of life decisions with patients? What if there was a code, say 99000-000.00 for the office based or bed side based talk with families and patients about end of life care? What if we could bill for one of the most important conversations we could ever have with patients?

Health care costs would fall and patient satisfaction would go up.  We could bring the patient and family to the office, have copies of medical power of attorney and “living will” paperwork available.  We could talk about where the patient is with their disease and life. We could take the time necessary to make plans to do what the patient wanted when the end of life neared, and stop doing the testing and treating that some patients (read many!) don’t want at the end of life.  Instead we could focus on what patients do want: dignity, friends and family, and freedom from pain.

So, maybe, there should be a place for the “99000-000.00″ visit in this climate of health care reform.  Think of the benefits for all, most importantly, the patient.

PS: in the meantime, consider handing out a copy of this article from MSN Money to patients.  Maybe it will convince them to move forward on their own to get an advanced directive.