Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Question: We have been told that physicians or surgeons have to be in the physical presence of the patient and other physician when requested to provide standby services by the other physician. Many of our services go unreported because the standby physician can't always be present. Are we doing something wrong?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you are. The rumor you've heard is incorrect: Your standby physician doesn't have to be physically present to provide standby services (99360, Physician standby service, requiring prolonged physician attendance, each 30 minutes [e.g., operative standby, standby for frozen section, for cesarean/high-risk delivery, for monitoring EEG]). The CPT guidelines state that the standby service "involves prolonged physician attendance without direct (face-to-face) patient contact."

What many coders incorrectly assume, however, is that the standby physician can render other services while on standby. The standby physician cannot provide care during the period of the standby. CPT also states that a physician must have requested the standby services of the standby physician, the standby service must have lasted at least 30 minutes, and subsequent periods that warrant another 99350 must last a full additional 30 minutes of standby.