Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: I noticed that some evaluation and management (E/M) codes have a plus symbol (+) in front of them. I was wondering what this means?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: As an example, take a look at the following prolonged services codes. You will see that they all have the + symbol in front of them:

• +99354 (Prolonged evaluation and management or psychotherapy service(s) (beyond the typical service time of the primary procedure) 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 or psychotherapy service))
• +99355 (…; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for prolonged service))
• +99356 (Prolonged service in the inpatient or observation setting, requiring unit/floor time beyond the usual service; first hour (List separately in addition to code for inpatient Evaluation and Management service))
• +99357 (…; each additional 30 minutes (List separately in addition to code for prolonged service))

When you look at codes +99354-+99357, you will notice the + symbol, which means these are add-on codes. An add-on code is a code that cannot stand alone, explains Linda Martien, CPC, COC, CPMA, AAPC Fellow. It is always used with or added to a base code.

For instance, 99214 (Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires at least 2 of these 3 key components: a detailed history; a detailed examination; medical decision making of moderate complexity …) would be your base code and +99354 would be the add-on code if the provider spent 30 minutes to one hour in prolonged service, according to Martien.