Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Tip: Don't use 99401-99404 if the patient is ill. If you're not reporting preventive medicine counseling codes  99401-99404 on the same day as a problem-based E/M visit when your ob-gyn counsels the patient on an unrelated preventive issue, you could be missing out on reimbursement. Learn how to determine which code to report and what documentation you need using these three scenarios. Study Preventive Medicine Counseling Codes If the patient sees an ob-gyn just for counseling and does not have an established illness, you should use one of three codes, depending on the counseling session's duration: 99401 -- Preventive medicine counseling and/or risk factor reduction intervention(s) provided to an individual (separate procedure); approximately 15 minutes 99402 -- ... approximately 30 minutes 99403 -- ... approximately 45 minutes 99404 -- ... approximately 60 minutes. According to CPT, counseling codes apply when a physician counsels on family problems, diet and exercise, substance abuse, sexual practices, injury [...]