Yes, both a PE, and complaint visit are billable on the same day.. Our billing person does it. Some insurance companies pay, and some don't.. We do not bill the patient if the company doesn't..
As for patients coming in with a laundry list of complaints, and the doctors only addressing one complaint, it's a problem.. I've been in that position with an ENT.. I was pretty ticked off, as I drove an hour to get to his office.. but in the same scenario in my office (primary care), we aren't getting reimbursed enough to pay expenses if we don't see the volume of patients, therefore we don't have the time to address the laundry list..
As for the thyroid tests, that should be I ncluded in the yearly PE along with the EKG, Sugar tests, chol, blood counts, etc.
Barri