When is it an eval or re-eval?

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

Just wondering if you have a patient with a condition that can reoccur or be

exacerbated when do you consider it a new evaluation or a re-evaluation?  For

example, a patient with a mensical tear or rotator cuff tear was discharged

after treatment with a HEP and little to no pain and they return to your clinic

1-2 months later with an exacerbation.  No changes have taken place, the

therapist after examining the patient is using the same ICD-9 code as before. 

Is this an eval or re-eval charge?  What timeframe does one use to determine

this?

Thank you in advance for your response.

Sincerely,

Jill Sedmak, PT, MSPT, ATC