routine office visit cpt codes

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Evaluation and management (E/M) services are an essential part of medical practices, especially in family medicine. These services are categorized using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for billing purposes. Properly documenting and coding for E/M services is crucial to maximize payment and minimize audit-related stress.

There are different levels of E/M codes, determined by the medical decision-making or time involved. It’s worth noting that the guidelines for E/M coding have undergone changes, including the elimination of history and physical exam elements, revisions to the MDM table, and an expanded definition of time for E/M services.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding E/M codes and guidelines is crucial for accurate billing.
• There are different levels of E/M codes based on medical decision-making or time involved.
• Recent changes to E/M coding include the elimination of history and physical exam elements.
• The definition of time for E/M services has been expanded.
• Proper documentation and coding help maximize payment and reduce audit-related stress.

Overview of Office Visit CPT Code Changes

The CPT Editorial Panel made significant revisions to the documentation and coding guidelines for office visit E/M services in 2021, with further changes introduced in 2023. These updates aim to simplify documentation requirements, reduce administrative burden, and ensure accurate coding for evaluation and management services.

One of the key changes introduced is the addition of add-on code G2211. This code accounts for the resource costs associated with visit complexity inherent to primary care and other longitudinal care settings. The inclusion of this add-on code reflects a more comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and workload associated with these types of visits.

Additionally, the revisions eliminate the requirement for history and physical exam elements to be considered in E/M code level selection. This change allows healthcare providers to focus more on medical decision-making (MDM) and limits the need for extensive documentation of these elements in the medical record.

The MDM table has also been revised to better reflect the cognitive work required for evaluation and management services. This ensures that the complexity of the MDM is accurately captured in the coding process and supports appropriate reimbursement for the level of care provided.

Furthermore, the definition of time for many E/M services has been expanded. The expanded definition of time includes both face-to-face and non-face-to-face components of care on the day of the encounter. This change recognizes the comprehensive nature of care provided and allows for a more accurate reflection of the time spent in the management of the patient.

Using Total Time for Office Visit CPT Code Selection

When it comes to selecting the appropriate office visit CPT code, total time can be a valuable factor to consider. Total time refers to the sum of all the physician’s or qualified health professional’s (QHP) time spent in caring for the patient, both face-to-face and non-face-to-face, on the day of the encounter. This expanded definition of time allows for a more comprehensive evaluation and management of the patient’s needs.

Total time can be utilized in selecting the level of service for various evaluation and management services, including office visits, inpatient and observation care, consultations, nursing facility services, home and residence services, and prolonged services. It provides a broader perspective on the physician’s involvement in the patient’s care, taking into account all aspects of their interaction.

However, it’s important to note that for emergency department visits, the level of service is still determined primarily by medical decision-making (MDM), rather than total time. This distinction recognizes the critical nature of emergency care and the need for prompt assessment and action.

Accurate documentation of the total time spent is key to ensuring proper code selection and appropriate reimbursement. The total time should be well-documented in the patient’s medical record, including both the face-to-face and non-face-to-face components of the encounter. This documentation serves as a crucial reference point for billing and auditing purposes.

To summarize, total time offers a comprehensive perspective on the physician’s engagement with the patient, encompassing both face-to-face and non-face-to-face interactions. It allows for a more accurate selection of office visit CPT codes and ensures the appropriate level of reimbursement for the provided services. Proper documentation of total time is essential to support the medical necessity of the encounter and maintain compliance with coding and billing guidelines.

Documentation Requirements for Total Time Calculation

When determining the total time for selecting office visit CPT codes, it is essential to adhere to specific documentation requirements. By accurately documenting the time spent on various activities during the encounter, healthcare providers can ensure proper code selection and optimize reimbursement.

To calculate the total time for office visit code selection, the following activities should be included:

• Reviewing external notes/tests
• Performing an examination
• Counseling and educating the patient
• Documenting in the medical record

These activities reflect the time personally spent by the physician or qualified health professional (QHP) on the date of the encounter. However, there are also activities that should be excluded when calculating total time:

• Time spent on activities typically performed by ancillary staff
• Time related to separately reportable activities

It is crucial to specifically document the total time spent on each activity during the date of the encounter, rather than providing generic time ranges. This detailed documentation ensures transparency and accuracy in code selection and reimbursement.

In addition to capturing face-to-face time, it is important to record non-face-to-face time as well. Non-face-to-face time includes tasks performed outside of direct interaction with the patient, such as reviewing test results or consulting with other healthcare professionals.

Example of Total Time Calculation:

Let’s consider an example where a family physician spends the following time on a patient encounter:

• 45 minutes performing an examination and counseling
• 15 minutes reviewing external notes/tests
• 10 minutes documenting in the medical record
• 5 minutes discussing with an ancillary staff

In this case, the total time would be calculated as follows:

By accurately documenting the specific total time spent on each activity and excluding ancillary staff time, healthcare providers can ensure proper code selection and reimbursement. This meticulous documentation of total time in the medical record provides a comprehensive overview of the services rendered and supports accurate billing.

Split or Shared Visit Documentation Guidelines

A split or shared visit occurs when a physician and other qualified health professional (QHP) provide care to a patient together during a single Evaluation and Management (E/M) service. In such cases, the time personally spent by the physician and QHP on the date of the encounter should be summed to define the total time.

However, only distinct time should be counted. This means that overlapping time during jointly meeting with or discussing the patient should not be double-counted. The distinct time should represent the unique contribution of each provider involved in the split or shared visit.

It is important to note that time spent on activities performed by ancillary staff should not be included in the total time calculations. The total time should only reflect the face-to-face time and distinct time spent by the physician and other QHP directly involved in providing the medically necessary services.

Documentation should support the medical necessity of both services reported in a split or shared visit scenario. This includes clearly documenting the need for both physicians or QHPs to be involved and the services each provider contributed to the patient’s care.

Applying Total Time to Specific E/M Services

Total time is a valuable tool for selecting the appropriate level of service for a variety of Evaluation and Management (E/M) services. This method can be applied to different specific E/M services, ensuring that the level of care is clinically appropriate and adequately reimbursed. By considering the total time spent during the encounter, healthcare providers can accurately assign the appropriate office visit CPT code.

The application of total time is not limited to office visit services. It can also be used for inpatient and observation care services, hospital inpatient or discharge services, consultation services, nursing facility services, and home or residence services. This flexibility allows for a comprehensive approach to E/M coding, regardless of the specific type of service provided.

When selecting the visit level based on total time, it is important to ensure that the encounter is counseling-dominated. While total time can be used as the sole determinant for selecting the visit level, counseling should still play a significant role in the encounter. This ensures that the level of service reflects the complexity and intensity of the counseling provided during the visit.

It is crucial to emphasize that total time should be clinically appropriate and supported by documentation in the medical record. This documentation should clearly demonstrate the medical necessity of the services provided and the time spent on the date of the encounter.

Applying Total Time to E/M Services: An Example

To illustrate the application of total time to specific E/M services, let’s consider an example of an office visit for a counseling-dominated encounter:

In this example, the total time spent during the encounter determines the appropriate level of visit code. For a total time of 25 minutes, a level 3 visit (CPT code 99213) is selected. If the total time is 40 minutes, a level 4 visit (CPT code 99214) would be appropriate. Finally, a total time of 60 minutes would result in a level 5 visit (CPT code 99215).

By applying total time to specific E/M services, healthcare providers can ensure accurate coding and appropriate reimbursement for the care provided. This method promotes comprehensive and patient-centered care while maintaining compliance with coding guidelines. Understanding the nuances of applying total time is essential for optimizing billing practices and promoting quality healthcare delivery.

Caveats and Considerations for Time-based E/M Coding

When utilizing time as the basis for selecting E/M codes, there are important caveats and considerations to keep in mind. Time-based coding should only be used in situations where counseling dominates the encounter, and it should not include time spent on separately reportable services. Documentation should clearly indicate that the services provided were not duplicative and were necessary for the management of the patient. Additionally, it is crucial to note that the professional component of diagnostic tests/studies and activities performed on a separate date should not be included in the total time calculation.

Considerations for Time-based E/M Coding

• Use time-based coding only when counseling dominates the encounter.
• Exclude time spent on separately reportable services.
• Ensure documentation supports the necessity of the provided services.
• Do not include the professional component of diagnostic tests/studies.

Implications of Time-based E/M Coding

When selecting E/M codes based on time, it is important to adhere to the specified guidelines and considerations. Failing to do so can lead to inaccurate coding, reimbursement issues, and potential compliance concerns. By understanding the requirements and accurately documenting the relevant information, healthcare providers can ensure proper medical billing and maintain compliance with coding and documentation guidelines.

Documentation Requirements for Time-based E/M Coding

Updates and Changes to CPT E/M Guidelines

The CPT Editorial Panel has recently implemented updates and changes to the Evaluation and Management (E/M) guidelines, specifically focusing on medical decision making (MDM), history, and exam. These updates aim to enhance the accuracy and specificity of E/M coding and documentation.

One significant change in the new guidelines is the emphasis on a medically appropriate history or exam, rather than relying solely on the number or complexity of problems addressed. This shift highlights the importance of gathering comprehensive patient information to guide medical decision making.

The MDM levels have also been revised to align with those used for office visits. This alignment ensures consistency across different types of E/M services and facilitates accurate code selection for medical billing and reimbursement.

By updating and refining the guidelines, the CPT Editorial Panel aims to streamline the coding and documentation process, making it easier for healthcare providers to accurately capture the complexity of patient encounters and facilitate proper reimbursement.

Changes in CPT E/M Guidelines

| Old Guidelines | Updated Guidelines | |—————————-|———————————| | Emphasized number of | Emphasize medically appropriate | | problems addressed | history or exam | | MDM levels differed across | MDM levels align with office | | different E/M services | visit levels | | | |

The updates in the CPT E/M guidelines bring about significant changes in capturing the complexity of patient encounters. Healthcare providers should familiarize themselves with these updates to ensure compliance with the revised guidelines, thereby facilitating accurate coding, billing, and reimbursement.

Guidelines for MDM Selection in E/M Services

In the process of selecting the appropriate E/M codes for evaluation and management (E/M) services, medical decision making (MDM) plays a crucial role. MDM encompasses several factors that need to be considered, including the number and complexity of problems addressed, comorbidities, the amount and complexity of data reviewed and analyzed, and the risk of complications, morbidity, or mortality.

It is important to note that the final diagnosis alone does not determine the complexity of MDM. Rather, the complexity is determined by the impact of the condition on the management of the patient. The more complex the problems, comorbidities, and data analysis, as well as the higher the risk of complications, morbidity, or mortality, the more intricate the MDM.

In accurately reflecting the level of complexity in the documentation and coding of E/M services, healthcare providers ensure proper reimbursement and compliance with coding guidelines. By carefully evaluating the factors that contribute to MDM, providers can effectively demonstrate the complexity of the problems addressed and the resources required to manage them.

Here is a breakdown of the key considerations for MDM selection in E/M services:

• Number and complexity of problems addressed
• Comorbidities
• Amount and complexity of data reviewed and analyzed
• Risk of complications, morbidity, or mortality
• Final diagnosis and its impact on management
• Complexity of problems and their management

Accurately documenting and coding the appropriate level of MDM is essential for ensuring proper reimbursement and comprehensive representation of the complexity of the patient’s condition. It is crucial to pay attention to the specifics of each patient’s case and make informed decisions based on thorough evaluation and analysis.

Impact of Office Visit CPT Code Changes on Medical Billing

The changes in office visit CPT code guidelines have had a significant impact on medical billing and reimbursement. Healthcare providers must adapt to these changes and understand the documentation requirements and accurate coding necessary to ensure proper reimbursement and reduce the risk of audits.

Accurate coding is crucial in accurately reflecting the level of service provided during the office visit. It ensures that healthcare providers receive accurate reimbursement for their services and helps to reduce the burden of potential audits. Proper documentation and coding also contribute to compliance with coding and documentation requirements, mitigating the risk of financial loss and noncompliance.

It is essential for healthcare providers to familiarize themselves with the new guidelines and understand how to properly document the relevant information. This includes accurately capturing the level of service provided, the complexity of problems addressed, and the time spent on the date of the encounter. By adhering to these documentation requirements, healthcare providers can ensure accurate coding and reimbursement, reducing the risk of claims denials or audits.

Proper documentation not only helps in accurate coding and reimbursement but also simplifies auditing processes, ensuring compliance with coding and documentation requirements. Auditing plays a vital role in the healthcare system, and having the appropriate documentation in place can streamline the auditing process and provide evidence of accurate and compliant billing practices.

Compliance with coding and documentation requirements is essential to avoid potential financial loss and maintain a good standing within the healthcare industry. By accurately documenting and coding office visit services, healthcare providers can demonstrate their commitment to compliance and ensure that they are providing high-quality care to their patients.

In conclusion, the changes in office visit CPT code guidelines have had a significant impact on medical billing and reimbursement. It is crucial for healthcare providers to understand the documentation requirements, accurately code the services provided, and ensure compliance with coding and documentation guidelines. By doing so, healthcare providers can streamline the billing process, reduce the risk of audits, and ensure accurate reimbursement for their services.

Resources for Understanding Office Visit CPT Code Guidelines

When it comes to understanding the guidelines for office visit CPT codes and navigating the changes in E/M coding, healthcare providers can rely on valuable resources provided by reputable organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Medicare Learning Network (MLN). These resources offer comprehensive guidance and tools that can help healthcare providers stay up to date and ensure accurate reimbursement.

The CPT Evaluation and Management Services Guidelines, developed by the AMA, provide detailed information on office visit CPT codes, E/M coding principles, and documentation requirements. This resource serves as a comprehensive guide to help healthcare providers understand the intricacies of office visit coding and ensure compliance with the latest guidelines.

The Medicare Learning Network, an educational resource developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), offers webinars, articles, and other educational materials specifically designed to assist healthcare providers in understanding and implementing the changes in E/M coding. These resources provide practical insights and clarification on the documentation requirements and coding changes specific to office visit CPT codes.

Furthermore, the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Lookup Tool, available on the CMS website, enables healthcare providers to access reimbursement information for specific office visit CPT codes. This tool allows providers to accurately determine the appropriate reimbursement for their services and ensure proper billing practices.

By leveraging these resources, healthcare providers can enhance their understanding of office visit CPT code guidelines, navigate the complexities of E/M coding, and ensure accurate reimbursement for their services. Staying informed and utilizing these valuable resources is imperative for maintaining compliance and optimizing coding practices.

Understanding the guidelines for office visit CPT codes is essential for accurate medical billing and insurance reimbursement. The recent changes in E/M coding guidelines, particularly regarding time-based code selection and medical decision making, necessitate proper documentation and accurate coding. By comprehensively understanding these guidelines, healthcare providers can maximize their payment, reduce the stress associated with audits, and ensure compliance with coding and documentation requirements.

Accurate medical billing is crucial for healthcare practices to receive fair reimbursement from insurance companies. By following the comprehensive guide provided by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Medicare Learning Network (MLN), healthcare providers can confidently navigate the complexities of office visit CPT codes. This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on selecting the appropriate codes based on medical decision making, time-based code selection, and documentation requirements.

Properly documenting the relevant information and coding accurately not only ensures accurate reimbursement but also reduces the risk of audits and increases compliance. By adhering to the guidelines and best practices outlined in the comprehensive guide, healthcare providers can maintain accurate and compliant medical billing practices, ultimately benefiting both their practice and their patients.

In conclusion, understanding the guidelines for office visit CPT codes is crucial for accurate medical billing and insurance reimbursement. By following the comprehensive guide provided by industry resources such as the AMA and MLN, healthcare providers can navigate the changes in E/M coding and ensure compliance with coding and documentation requirements. This comprehensive understanding of the guidelines allows healthcare providers to optimize payment, minimize audit-related stress, and maintain accurate and compliant medical billing practices.

What are office visit CPT codes?

Office visit CPT codes are evaluation and management (E/M) codes used for billing purposes in family medicine practices and other healthcare settings.

What are the changes to the office visit CPT code guidelines?

The office visit CPT code guidelines have been revised to eliminate the history and physical exam elements, introduce an add-on code for visit complexity, revise the medical decision-making table, and expand the definition of time for E/M services.

How can total time be used for office visit CPT code selection?

Total time, which includes both face-to-face and non-face-to-face interactions, can be used to select the level of service for office visit codes and other E/M services.

What should be included in the calculation of total time for office visit code selection?

Activities such as examining the patient, counseling and educating the patient, reviewing external notes/tests, and documenting in the medical record should be included in the calculation of total time. Ancillary staff time and time related to separately reportable activities should be excluded.

How should total time be documented for office visit code selection?

It is important to document the specific total time spent on activities on the date of the encounter in the patient’s medical record, rather than providing generic time ranges.

What are the documentation guidelines for split or shared visits?

In a split or shared visit scenario, the time personally spent by the physician and other qualified health professional (QHP) should be summed to define total time. Distinct time should be counted, and time spent on activities performed by ancillary staff should not be included.

Can total time be used for other E/M services besides office visits?

Yes, total time can be used to select the level of service for inpatient and observation care services, hospital inpatient or discharge services, consultation services, nursing facility services, and home or residence services.

What are the caveats and considerations for time-based E/M coding?

Time-based coding should only be used when counseling dominates the encounter, and it should not include time spent on separately reportable services. It is important to ensure that the services provided were necessary for the management of the patient.

What updates have been made to the CPT E/M guidelines?

The CPT E/M guidelines have been updated to emphasize the need for a medically appropriate history or exam and to revise the levels of medical decision making to align with office visit levels.

How is medical decision making (MDM) determined in E/M services?

MDM is determined by considering the number and complexity of problems addressed, comorbidities, the amount and complexity of data reviewed and analyzed, and the risk of complications, morbidity, or mortality.

What is the impact of the office visit CPT code changes on medical billing?

The changes in office visit CPT code guidelines have a significant impact on medical billing, requiring proper documentation and accurate coding to ensure accurate reimbursement and reduce the risk of audits.

Where can healthcare providers find resources to understand the office visit CPT code guidelines?

Healthcare providers can refer to resources such as the CPT Evaluation and Management Services Guidelines from the American Medical Association and the Medicare Learning Network for guidance on understanding and implementing the office visit CPT code guidelines.

What is the importance of understanding office visit CPT code guidelines?

Understanding office visit CPT code guidelines is crucial for accurate medical billing, insurance reimbursement, and compliance with coding and documentation requirements.

What is the overall purpose of the comprehensive guide on office visit CPT code guidelines?

The comprehensive guide on office visit CPT code guidelines provides healthcare providers with a thorough understanding of the guidelines, enabling them to maximize payment, reduce the stress associated with audits, and ensure compliance with coding and documentation requirements.

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List With CPT Codes For New Patient Office Visits | Short & Long Descriptions and Lay-Terms

4 CPT codes describe the procedures for a new patient office visit . These codes are used to record the level of complexity of the evaluation, management, and medical decision-making during the visit. You can find a complete list of office visits for both established patients and new patients here.

1. CPT Code 99202

Lay-term: CPT code 99202 is used when a healthcare provider performs an office visit for a new patient that requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and straightforward medical decision making. The total time spent on the encounter must be 15 minutes or more.

Long description: Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and straightforward medical decision making. When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 15 minutes must be met or exceeded.

Short description: New patient office visit, straightforward medical decision making, 15 minutes.

1.2. CPT Code 99203

Lay-term: CPT code 99203 is used when a healthcare provider performs an office visit for a new patient that requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and a low level of medical decision making. The total time spent on the encounter must be 30 minutes or more.

Long description: Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and low level of medical decision making. When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 30 minutes must be met or exceeded.

Short description: New patient office visit, low level medical decision making, 30 minutes.

1.3. CPT Code 99204

Lay-term: CPT code 99204 is used when a healthcare provider performs an office visit for a new patient that requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and a moderate level of medical decision making. The total time spent on the encounter must be 45 minutes or more.

Long description: Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and moderate level of medical decision making. When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 45 minutes must be met or exceeded.

Short description: New patient office visit, moderate level medical decision making, 45 minutes.

1.4. CPT Code 99205

Lay-term: CPT code 99205 is used when a healthcare provider performs an office visit for a new patient that requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and a high level of medical decision making. The total time spent on the encounter must be 60 minutes or more.

Long description: Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and high level of medical decision making. When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 60 minutes must be met or exceeded.

Short description: New patient office visit, high level medical decision making, 60 minutes.

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Healthcare Insights

Top 25 physician procedures

Published Oct 30th, 2023

Physicians are the backbone of any healthcare system. As the primary caregivers, they identify patient ailments and determine courses of treatment that define each episode of care. They also deliver those treatments, sometimes with the assistance of other  healthcare professionals .

From an operational perspective, physicians also influence supply spending by requesting preferred  medical devices  and  supplies . A physician’s preferred equipment will largely depend on the types of procedures they’re performing most often.

Using data from the Definitive Healthcare  Atlas All-Payor Claims  product, we’ve compiled a list of the top 25 physician procedures in 2023 ranked by their percentage of the total procedure volume nationwide. Data represents claims for the year 2023 through September.

Fig. 1 Data from the Definitive Healthcare’s Atlas All-Payor Claims product for the calendar year 2023 through September. Claims data is sourced from multiple medical claims clearinghouses in the United States and updated monthly. Accessed October 2023.

What are the most common physician procedures in 2023?

The most common procedure in 2023 was a tie between two codes. Routine office visits for established patients (CPT codes 99213 & 99214) each accounted for 4.5% of all procedures so far this year. These codes both refer to a general visit to a physician for an established patient, with the differences between them being the duration of the visit and the level of clinical decision-making. The first-place code refers to visits between 20-29 minutes and involve a minimal amount of care. The second refers to visits that are longer and go between 30-39 minutes. These visits are often for more complex cases and are billed at a higher rate. Most patients typically schedule an appointment with a physician around once a year for a routine checkup and physical examination, so it makes sense that both of these procedures would top the list.

Following routine office visits, the second most common procedure billed by physicians in 2023 is therapeutic exercises (CPT code 97110), accounting for 2.9% of total claims so far. Patients may require physical therapy like this for a wide range of conditions and illnesses. Physical therapy exercises may be needed after surgery, accidents, or other clinical events to prevent loss of motion, maintain or improve muscular strength, or increase flexibility, making it a common procedure.

Rounding out the top three is the code for therapeutic activities (CPT code 97530), accounting for 2% of all physician procedures so far this year. This procedure is similar to therapeutic exercises, but it involves a wider range of dynamic movements designed to replicate real-life movements, such as bending over or walking up stairs, while the former is designed to help the patient make progress in a single parameter, such as strength, flexibility, or endurance. Typically, therapeutic activities build off the work of therapeutic exercises.

What are procedure codes for billing?

Medical procedure codes, or  Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)  codes, are numerical identifiers and descriptions used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic services for reimbursement from Medicare and other  payors .

Procedure codes give healthcare professionals a standardized language for reporting services, processing claims, and developing new guidelines for medical care review. Codes exist for nearly every point in a patient’s care journey, beginning with their initial contact with a physician’s office. Healthcare administrators must employ correct coding to receive the appropriate reimbursement for services rendered.

What physician procedures have the highest costs?

Despite accounting for fewer procedures, some physician-billed CPT codes have higher costs than those at the top of this list ranked by total volume.

The CPT code on the list of top procedures with the highest average charge per procedure is code 99285, also known as evaluation and management for an emergency department visit involving complex treatment. This code ranks 12th based on the volume of procedures this year but has an average charge of $1,725 per procedure, nearly eight times higher than that of a routine office visit.

In addition to an emergency department visit involving high-complexity treatment, the other most common procedure with the highest average charge is the evaluation and management for an emergency department visit for moderately complex treatments (CPT code 99284) at $1,254 and physician consultations for new patients (CPT 99204) at $363.

Want to see more about the most common physician procedures? Start a free trial now and get access to the latest healthcare commercial intelligence on IDNs, hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers.

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Coding for office visits, procedures should be understood

Some of the most common questions in coding arise when an office visit and a procedure are performed almost simultaneously. For our purposes, "almost simultaneously" will refer to same-day office services for small ("minor") procedures and to previous-day or same-day office services for large ("major") procedures.

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Coding FAQ: Patient office visits

Question: How do I code for a patient office visit? Can I use consultation codes? What diagnosis code is appropriate for a patient office visit during which the patient is evaluated for OSA and scheduled for testing?

Answer: Patient visits are billed using evaluation and management (E/M) codes. The E/M codes are found in the CPT® code book. Office visits in particular are billed using two code ranges – for new patients, E/M codes 99201-99205 can be used; for established patients, E/M codes 99211-99215 can be used. Medicare no longer reimburses for consultation codes (E/M code range 99241-99245). However, some private payers may still reimburse for these services. Physicians should bill diagnosis code(s) that justify the service. In the case of an office visit, this may include hypersomnolence, snoring, obesity, or a range of complicating comorbidities such as hypertension. Unless the patient has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) previously, the diagnosis of OSA can’t be assigned until testing and interpretation is complete.

These recommendations may change, however, given the CMS Proposed Rule , in which CMS outlined plans to significantly modify E/M documentation guidelines, coding, and reimbursement, to align with the Patients over Paperwork initiative.  The AASM expressed support for the American Medical Association’s response to CMS , which encouraged the Agency to allow the medical community to assist with revising the E/M process through the formation of a workgroup, made up of health care professionals with experience in coding, reimbursement, and clinical expertise.  The Workgroup has since been convened and is working to identify solutions to the current E/M coding and payment issues and provide solutions for implementation in the 2020 calendar year.

If the coding recommendations change, an updated response to this coding question will be featured and posted to the AASM website.

In the meantime, please send any questions to [email protected] . Read more  Coding FAQs .

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In the exam room, the distinction between one type of visit and another isn't always clear. It's important to know when — and how — you can bill for both .

BETSY NICOLETTI, MS, CPC, AND VINITA MAGOON, DO, JD, MBA, MPH, CMQ

Fam Pract Manag. 2022;29(1):15-20

Author disclosures: no relevant financial relationships.

In family medicine, it's common for a medical problem to crop up during a routine preventive visit, or for a preventive service to crop up during a problem-oriented visit. For example, let's say you're finishing up a Medicare annual wellness visit when the patient lifts his shirt and says, “Oh yeah, I'd also like you to look at this rash,” which results in a prescription. Or, at a follow-up visit for a patient's chronic condition, you notice he is overdue for a flu shot and colorectal screening, so you perform a preventive visit too.

From a coding perspective, there is a bright line between a preventive medicine visit and a problem-oriented visit. One is for promoting health and wellness, and the other is for addressing an acute or chronic medical problem. But in the exam room, the distinction isn't always clear. The question for family physicians is this: When does the work in the exam room warrant billing for two distinct services?

The answer lies in knowing the requirements for various preventive medicine and Medicare wellness visits, knowing when you've done enough beyond those requirements to also bill for a separate E/M service, and knowing how to document and code it all. The good news is the 2021 E/M coding changes made it easier than it used to be.

When physicians and other clinicians address a medical problem during a preventive or wellness visit, they can often bill for both services.

Knowing the core components of preventive or wellness visits can help physicians recognize when they have done enough work beyond those requirements to bill for a separate evaluation and management service.

Because preventive and wellness visits come with no cost sharing, it's best practice to explain to patients that a separate service performed during the same visit may result in a charge to them.

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE VISITS

Preventive medicine visits (CPT codes 99381-99397) are for patients covered by commercial insurance, Medicaid plans, and some Medicare Advantage plans. Patients value these visits because they are not subject to co-pays and deductibles. After age two, one preventive visit is covered annually.

According to CPT, preventive medicine visits are “comprehensive preventive medicine evaluation and management services of an individual including an age and gender appropriate history, examination, counseling/anticipatory guidance/risk factor reduction interventions, and the ordering of laboratory/diagnostic procedures.”

Codes 99381-99387 are for new patients and 99391-99397 are for established patients. Both are further broken down by age group. The extent of the exam, the content of the counseling and anticipatory guidance, and the recommended screenings and immunizations vary depending on the patient's age and gender. “Comprehensive” in the CPT definition is not synonymous with the comprehensive exam required in other E/M services. This is a common misconception among physicians and patients alike.

CPT states that if a new or existing problem is assessed and managed at the time of the preventive visit, the physician should also bill a problem-oriented visit (an office visit) on the day of the preventive care. But insignificant problems that do not require extra work should not be billed as office visits. If a patient comes in for a preventive visit and the clinician also looks at a rash or notices the patient's blood pressure is elevated, these observations alone are not enough to bill a problem-oriented E/M visit. There must be some medical decision making (MDM) that occurs, such as prescribing a topical treatment for the rash or choosing not to prescribe a medication for the high blood pressure and instead suggesting the patient change his diet.

Once you've documented your MDM, you can bill an E/M visit using codes 99202-99215 with the preventive medicine visit code. Make sure to add modifier 25 to the E/M code to signal to the payer that two distinct visits were done on the same day.

For more details on when to bill both visits, how to level the E/M portion, and what to include in your documentation, see “ One visit or two? ”

ONE VISIT OR TWO?

Medicare wellness visits.

Original (traditional) Medicare does not cover CPT codes 99381-99397, because Medicare has its own wellness visits with their own “G” codes and requirements. As mentioned, some Medicare Advantage plans do cover the preventive medicine CPT codes in addition to Medicare wellness visits. However, a Medicare wellness visit and a preventive visit should not be billed on the same date of service. Medicare developed the Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE, also known as the “Welcome to Medicare” visit) (G0402) and initial and subsequent annual wellness visits (G0438 and G0439) to encourage Medicare patients to receive screenings and preventive care, and to work with their physicians to develop a personalized prevention plan. 1 The requirements are slightly different for the three codes, but in general they require collecting or updating medical, family, and social history; screening for depression; evaluating the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living; assessing the patient's safety at home; recording vital signs; asking about opioid and substance use; and providing guidance about preventive services and a personalized prevention plan (for more details, see the table in “ Medicare 101: Navigating the Rules for Coverage and Benefits in Clinical Practice ”). Similar to CPT's preventive medicine visits, Medicare wellness visits do not require a full head-to-toe physical exam.

The assessment and management of acute or chronic problems are not components of the IPPE or annual wellness visits. When that service is medically necessary during a Medicare wellness visit, the physician can also bill for a problem-oriented E/M office visit on the same day, again using the appropriate CPT code (99202-99215) with modifier 25.

SELECTING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR THE E/M CODE

Hopefully you're now familiar with the E/M coding rules that changed in 2021. 2 Performing a problem-oriented E/M service on the same date as a wellness visit adds a layer of complexity when it comes to choosing the level of service for the E/M code. But, as mentioned, the new rules actually make it easier than it was before.

When selecting a code (99202-99215) using the new E/M guidelines for office and outpatient services, physicians may use either total time on the date of the visit or MDM. History and exam are no longer necessary to select the level of service (though they should still be documented to provide the best care). This makes it easier to select a level of service for the problem-oriented visit when it's combined with a wellness or preventive visit because there are fewer overlapping components when coding based on MDM. The E/M service is your assessment and management of an acute or chronic condition, which is not required in either CPT preventive services or Medicare wellness visits.

It's trickier to code the E/M service based on time because you must make sure to only count the time spent managing the problems, not the time spent on the preventive or wellness service. The February 2021 CPT Assistant newsletter was particularly clear on this, stating “if time is used for selection of a level of the office/outpatient E/M code, the time spent on the preventive service cannot be counted toward the time of the work of the problem assessment because time spent performing a service cannot be counted twice. The code for the problem-assessment portion of the encounter will likely be selected based on MDM.” 3 It might make sense to consider MDM-based coding as the best practice when combining E/M visits with wellness visits.

A problem-oriented visit includes the history of the problem and any symptoms or complaints related to it. It may or may not include a physical exam or data review (e.g., notes reviewed, tests ordered, tests reviewed, or independent historian). It includes the evaluation and management of a problem or condition. When these components are documented in addition to the preventive visit, add a problem-oriented visit code. For more on which components are required for which visits, see “ How to credit combined visits .”

Let's look at some examples of when it would be appropriate to bill for a problem-oriented E/M code (CPT 99202-99215) along with a preventive or wellness visit.

Patient 1: A 70-year-old male, established patient with a history of diabetes and hyperlipidemia comes in for a Medicare annual wellness visit. All required components of the wellness visit are completed. The patient then asks for a refill of his diabetes medication. The physician asks the patient if he is taking his medication as prescribed and following the diet recommendations discussed during the last visit. The physician also performs a focused physical exam, discusses medication management for diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and orders maintenance labs. The physician documents her significant review of the patient's problems, bills for the annual wellness visit with code G0439, and adds a 99214 E/M code because she addressed two stable chronic illnesses and performed prescription drug management. She adds modifier 25 to the E/M code.

Patient 2: A 32-year-old female, new patient comes in for a preventive medicine visit required by her employer. The physician completes all requirements for the preventive visit. During the history portion, the patient tells the physician that she has been having some knee pain exacerbated by running. The physician obtains additional history about the pain, examines her knee, tells her to reduce her running until the pain subsides, and gives her a handout on knee exercises. He also recommends she try a knee brace and follow up if the pain does not lessen with rest. The physician documents the extra work done to address the knee issue, then bills code 99385 for an initial preventive medicine visit for a patient age 18–39, along with E/M code 99203 because he addressed one acute, uncomplicated injury. He adds modifier 25 to the E/M code.

Patient 3: A 49-year-old female, established patient comes in for her annual preventive visit. The physician completes all requirements for the preventive visit. The patient then mentions she has been excessively tired recently and has been having trouble sleeping. The physician obtains a detailed history of the problems, does a thorough physical exam, and orders some labs (complete blood count and thyroid-stimulating hormone). The physician documents the extra work, then bills code 99396 for a periodic preventive medicine visit for a patient age 40–64 and E/M code 99213 for addressing two acute illnesses (fatigue and insomnia) and ordering two labs. The physician adds modifier 25 to the E/M code.

WORKFLOW TIPS

It's hard to plan for surprise problems that come up during a preventive or wellness visit. But your staff can help by asking patients up front if they have any other issues that need to be addressed. This step should occur when staff are scheduling or confirming patient visits, allowing you to block off more time if necessary.

Scheduling staff should also be aware that Medicare wellness visits have strict rules about how often they can be billed. They must be separated by at least 12 months from the previous wellness visit. Having staff check eligibility for Medicare wellness visits using the HIPAA Eligibility Transaction System can help you avoid denials. 4 The timeframes for CPT preventive visits are more forgiving; they can be performed once every plan year (usually a calendar year, but some plans vary).

Patients who know their preventive/wellness visit will be covered with no deductible or co-pay may mistakenly assume all services provided during that visit, including E/M, will be no cost to them. It is best to educate patients on the costs associated with a problem-oriented office visit and let them know that performing one with a preventive or wellness visit will result in the same co-pay they would incur if the problem-oriented visit was on a different day. Most patients will accept this, because getting both visits in the same trip is more convenient for them. Posting flyers in the exam rooms or waiting room about the difference between preventive/wellness visits and problem-oriented visits, and the costs associated with each, can also prevent patient dissatisfaction.

Physicians could ask these patients to return for the problem-oriented visit on another day, but if time allows for providing both services at the current visit, it is only fair and reasonable to do so. Knowing the rules for combined visits, and the convenience they offer patients, should give physicians the confidence to bill fully for their services.

The ABCs of the Initial Preventive Physical Examination. Medicare Learning Network. Accessed Nov. 15, 2021. https://www.mvphealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/download-manager-files/CMS-ABC-Initial-Preventive-Physical-Examination-ICN006904-01-2015.pdf

Millette KW. Countdown to the E/M coding changes. Fam Pract Manag . 2020;27(5):29-36.

Evaluation and management (E/M) 2021; AMA CPT Assistant . 2021;2:7-8.

HIPAA Eligibility Transaction System (HETS). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Updated Oct. 25, 2021. Accessed Nov. 15, 2021. https://www.cms.gov/research-statistics-data-and-systems/cms-information-technology/hetshelp

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