ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Coding for 99288
Barbara Gedwill
Mequon, Wis.
Answer: There are no specific guidelines, outside of the instructions in CPT, page 21 of the 2000 professional edition and page 19 of the 2001 professional edition. The descriptor of the code states advanced life support (ALS), which indicates that the patients condition must meet ALS criteria before this code is valid. By the way, Medicare and some other carriers do not allow payment for this code. The communication between ER physician and EMT/paramedics is considered included in the ER charge and is not reimbursed separately.
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