Wiki PPD reading

[nc_coder]

A patient comes in for Preventive visit, has a PPD placed for work purposes. When the patient comes back for the reading, would we charge 99211? I say no. The physician says yes.

 

[dlashua]

A patient comes in for Preventive visit, has a PPD placed for work purposes. When the patient comes back for the reading, would we charge 99211? I say no. The physician says yes.

It is my understanding that the reading of the PPD is included in the placement of the toxin. I would not and do not bill a separate visit for reading.

 

[nc_coder]

I read an article from the AMA a couple of years ago on the use of 99211. It stated you could code the 99211 for the reading- if there were no E/M at the time of placement. This would account for any time the staff spent filling out forms for the patient. However, my physician thinks that since this was "extra" work done at the physical, we should be able to bill a 99211 for the reading.