ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Critical Care Time
Question: I have an encounter form in front of me that’s a bit confusing. Notes indicate that the ED physician performed 84 minutes of care for a critically ill patient. During the 84 minutes, the physician took 25 minutes to order and interpret a two-view chest X-ray and performed 25 minutes of ventilatory management. Can I report 99291 and +99292 for this encounter? Or should I submit some other code combination? Idaho Subscriber Answer: Yes, you can report 99291 (Critical care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes) and +99292 (… each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary service)) on the claim. If you thought you would have to subtract the X-ray and vent management from the total critical care time, rest easy. Both of these services are specifically bundled into code 99291 are considered part of the critical care package.
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