ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Experts differ on +99292 coding, so be sure to check with payer.ED coders should strive to use high-paying critical care codes whenever appropriate; however, coders must adhere to strict rules regarding 99291 and +99292. Learn how to carve out separately identifiable services, and identify possible +99292 scenarios, with this expert advice on filing critical care claims. Parse Out Separate Services Before Starting CC CountThe $kinny: The payout for critical care is high. A unit of 99291 (Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes ...) pays about $221 per encounter (5.99 transitioned facility relative value units [RVUs] multiplied by the 2010 Medicare conversion rate of 36.8729).Coders should remember, however, that the physician often provides critical care and other (separately codeable) services during the same session. When this occurs, you have to subtract the minutes spent on the services from your critical care [...]