Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: How can we report prolonged face-to-face E/M services provided by our physician in 2012 given the change in descriptor for codes 99354 and 99355?New Jersey SubscriberAnswer: Prolonged services with direct patient contact have add-on codes that you report with the appropriate E/M service codes. When your neurologist spends at least 30 minute or more time beyond the typical time for a particular E/M code, you will report prolonged services in the outpatient setting or office with +99354 (Prolonged service in the office or other outpatient setting requiring direct patient contact beyond the usual service; first hour [List separately in addition to code for office or other outpatient Evaluation and Management service]) for the first hour of prolonged service. You can report every additional 30 minutes of direct patient contact with +99355 (Prolonged service in the office or other outpatient setting requiring direct patient contact beyond the usual service; each [...]