Recently, while reviewing terms people use to find CodingIntel I was surprised to find that people were searching for “xxxA.” At first, I was afraid searchers were looking for a different kind of site….or sight. But searchers were looking for information about placeholder code X and 7th character extension A. These are typically used on […]
The First Element of MDM: Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed
E/M elements for MDM There are three elements in medical decision-making and this article describes the first of three When selecting a level of service based on medical decision-making two of the three elements are required CPT® has developed definitions for many of the components in the MDM chart. The examples listed in the definitions […]
The Third Element of MDM: Risk of Complications
The third element of MDM: risk of complications and/or morbidity or mortality of patient management at the encounter Coding for E/M services There are three elements in medical decision-making and this article describes the third, the risk of complications and/or morbidity or mortality related to patient management When selecting a level of service based on […]
The Second Element of MDM: Amount and/or Complexity of Data
There are three elements in medical decision-making and this article describes the second, arguably, the most complex of the three elements When selecting a level of service based on medical decision-making two of the three elements are required CPT® has developed definitions for many of the components in the MDM chart. This article describes the definitions […]
Consultation Codes
First, CMS stopped recognizing consult codes in 2010. Outpatient consultations (99241—99245) and inpatient consultations (99251—99255) were still active CPT® codes, and depending on where you are in the country, are recognized by a payer two, or many payers. In 2023, codes 99241 and 99251 are deleted. These two low level consult codes were rarely used. […]
Assuring Compliance for Behavioral Health Services | Webinar
Recorded August 15th, 2024
1 CEU expires 8/30/26
Guest Presenters Cheryl Krusch and Natalie Laaman of BerryDunn
This webinar reviews essential documentation requirements and coding standards, describes common denial reasons, and provides proactive steps to mitigate risk effectively. Elevate your practice’s compliance standards and ensure proper documentation and coding for revenue integrity.
Coding for Observation Services
CPT codes for observation services Beginning January 1, 2023 there are two sets of codes used for both inpatient status and observation level of care. Coding for observation services no longer has a distinct set of CPT® codes, those were deleted. Use 99221–99223 for initial inpatient or observation care services and use 99231–99233 for inpatient […]
Codes for Visits in Assisted Living
Question: In 2023, how will we code for visits in assisted living? Answer: January 1st 2023, the codes for boarding home, rest home and domiciliary care are gone from the CPT® book. What are the codes for visits in assisted living in 2023 and beyond? Home and residence services (99341—99345 for new patients) and (99347—99350 […]
Acute, Uncomplicated vs. Acute with Systemic Symptoms
Question: When using the E/M guidelines, is the problem an acute, uncomplicated illness or an acute illness with systemic symptoms? Answer: Let’s start with the CPT definitions, from the CPT® Professional edition. Acute, uncomplicated illness Acute illness with systemic symptoms From CPT®: A recent or new short-term problem with low risk of morbidity for which […]
Critical Care Services
Definition and Explanation of Critical Care Service Definition: Coding service for caring for a critically ill or injured patient Explanation: Critical care has high relative value units and payments so it’s important to know the coding rules. This article describes what can be included in the time of critical care what can’t be included, and […]
CMS’s 2024 Shared or Split Services Policy: Document and Report Them Correctly
In 2024, CPT® expanded its definition of split/shared services, CMS updated their requirements. Neither CMS nor CPT made changes tot his policy for 2025. CPT® expanded its definition of split/shared services in 2024, stating that the substantive portion can be determined by the practitioner who spent more than 50% of the time, or who made […]
Billing for Pap Smear
Billing for pap smears in a physician practice can be confusing for clinicians and coders alike. Pap smears can be screening services or diagnostic services There is a HCPCS code for obtaining a screening pap smear, Q0091 Performing a pelvic exam is either part of a preventive medicine service or problem oriented visit A new […]
G0101 Pelvic and Breast Exam
Medicare developed two HCPCS codes for screening services for women, without definitive frequency time limits Both G0101 (screening breast and pelvic exam) and Q0091 (obtaining a screening pap smear) may be billed every two years for a low-risk patient and every year for high-risk patients These are not comprehensive preventive medicine services They may be […]
Risk: Roads not Taken
How is risk evaluated when selecting a level of E/M service? We know that the risk from additional diagnostic testing/procedures and management is one of the three elements that determines the level of service, when MDM is used. But, how about the risk from the condition itself? This short video (I always say they’re short […]
Commonly Performed Procedures in Primary Care
These reference sheets for minor procedures include common CPT® codes, descriptions, current work and non-facility RVUs, and global days for quick reference. The first chart includes codes 10060-11443, the second 11600-17111, and the third 20550-54056.
Incident To Services – Medicare
Medicare has specific rules for billing for nurse practitioners and physician assistants and other office staff incident to a physician services in an office. This article includes: Description, explanation and codes for incident-to services Billing and coding rules Brief video overview Enrollment of non-physician practitioners (NPPs) for incident-to billing See our Medicare Incident-to and Shared […]
Coding for Prolonged Services: CPT® and HCPCS Codes
Common rules: Prolonged services codes are add-on codes to the highest level E/M services in certain categories. In order to use prolonged care, the primary code must be selected based on time. This is in the CPT® and HCPCS definition of prolonged services. Prolonged services codes may only be added to the highest-level code in […]
Nursing Facility Visits
Definition Nursing facility visits are Evaluation and Management services provided in a skilled nursing facility or a long term nursing facility. Explanation Only a physician may perform an initial nursing facility service in a SNF. This includes admissions and re-admissions. In an NF, a non-physician practitioner (NPP) who is not employed by the NF may […]
Preventive Medicine Services – Medicare
Medicare has very specific requirements for preventive services. What can you bill, what must you document? This article covers all the bases including tips for billing the Welcome to Medicare and Annual and Subsequent Wellness Visits. More tips for preventive medicine and split visits can be found here. See also Q&A from the Preventive Medicine […]
Shared Services: CPT® and CMS Rules | Webinar
Recorded May 16th, 2024
1 CEU expires 5/30/26
Shared services are E/M services jointly performed by a physician and non-physician practitioner in a facility setting. The service is reported under the National Provider Identifier (NPI) of the practitioner who performs the substantive portion of the service. The substantive portion of the service can be determined by time or medical decision making (MDM).
Modifier 25
Use of Modifier 25 may be applicable when an E/M service is provided on the same day as a procedure, a preventive medicine service, or other medical service or procedure. Use this quick reference sheet to determine when to use modifier 25, and which code to append it to.
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