Advanced Search

Anesthesia Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Independent Medical Exams

Published on Tue Oct 01, 2002

Question: A pain management group has asked our physician to perform IMEs (independent medical exams) for their patients. How should we code for this? Nebraska Subscriber Answer: Independent medical examinations are performed as a baseline for life and/or disability certification, or to determine a patient's percentage of disability related to bodily injuries or disease. A code from 99450-99456 (the section of E/M codes related to Special Evaluation and Management Services) is used, depending on whether the exam is work-related, a disability evaluation or a basic life and/or disability evaluation for life insurance. IMEs are not usually performed by anesthesiologists. These exams should be referred to QME physicians (qualified medical examiners).  
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Anesthesia Coding Alert

View All