Wiki Hearing Test

[DIVINE50]

If a physician sees a patient as a new patient and advises the patient they need to have a hearing test and the patient decides against it at this visit. Then a few weeks later the patient calls in to schedule a hearing test. The patient has no other problems or new issues.

Does the patient need to see the doctor before having the hearing test done since it has already been decided this is the next step in treatment?

Can you bill and E/M code for the physician seeing the patient before having the hearing test if there are no new issues?

 

[tkermode]

Does the patient need to see the doctor before having the hearing test done since it has already been decided this is the next step in treatment?

Another E/M service is not required if there is no change in the patient's condition. Similar to a patient presenting with skin lesions and returning the next week for cryotherapy. Remember, all services and procedures include an ?inherent? E/M component.

Can you bill and E/M code for the physician seeing the patient before having the hearing test if there are no new issues?

You could only bill for an E/M service if a distinct, separately identifiable service was provided. Use modifier -25 to do this. (The scenario you describe does not seem to fit this, though.)