Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: I recently attended a seminar in which the presenter said we can bill a particular code whenever our physician writes a prescription. What is it, and can we report it in addition to an E/M service? How about when a patient simply calls and the physician writes the prescription?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: You may be referring to V68.1 (Issue of repeat prescriptions). But if the only reason the patient comes in is to pick up a prescription, and the orthopedist does not see her for a documented E/M service, you cannot bill an E/M code.

In fact, CPT specifically includes writing prescriptions as part of an E/M service. This is just part of the cost of seeing patients, much like office supplies. There is no CPT code that payers will reimburse for writing a prescription.

Note: Prescription drug management supports a "moderate" level of risk, according to the table of risk found in the E/M documentation guidelines. While not a separately billable service, prescription drug management can help to support a higher level of service if you do see a patient for a documented E/M visit that includes prescription management. You should associate a moderate level of risk with a level-four established patient office visit (99214).