Wiki E & M Time based coding

[jpayment]

Hi,

I want to clarify something. It has always been my interpretation and understanding that when a provider is coding based on time and documents for example; 15 minutes of a 25 minute visit was spent face to face counseling........... that the provider may bill 99214 being the total visit was 25 minutes. Am I correct in that the provider wouldn't bill 99213?

Thank you,

 

[mhstrauss]

Hi,

I want to clarify something. It has always been my interpretation and understanding that when a provider is coding based on time and documents for example; 15 minutes of a 25 minute visit was spent face to face counseling........... that the provider may bill 99214 being the total visit was 25 minutes. Am I correct in that the provider wouldn't bill 99213?

Thank you,

Yes, you are correct. Time-based codes are based on the total face-to-face time documented for the visit, as long as the other time-based-coding guidelines are followed.

Hope this helps!

 

[jpayment]

Thank you!