Darren Conroy
New
Some services (such as a blood pressure check or a screening pap collection) are typically considered to be included in the E/M service, and shouldn't be billed separately when the patient is there for an office visit.
However, what about cases where they happen alongside a procedure code (for example, a pap collection with an IUD replacement, or a blood pressure check with a flu shot administration)? Part of my gut says "every procedure code includes E/M services pertinent to that procedure, and shouldn't be billed separately unless it's separately identifiable", but the other part wonders if they are separately identifiable, since they're only so relevant to the procedure being performed?
Have tried researching an answer for this for years and haven't found anything, was wondering what people's experiences have been.
However, what about cases where they happen alongside a procedure code (for example, a pap collection with an IUD replacement, or a blood pressure check with a flu shot administration)? Part of my gut says "every procedure code includes E/M services pertinent to that procedure, and shouldn't be billed separately unless it's separately identifiable", but the other part wonders if they are separately identifiable, since they're only so relevant to the procedure being performed?
Have tried researching an answer for this for years and haven't found anything, was wondering what people's experiences have been.