Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Question: What is the best way to code and bill for driver's physicals? I'm thinking the preventive E/M codes are best, but those don't require the key components of problem visits. Could we charge the same fee for the driver's physical as a routine preventative exam?

Pennsylvania Subscriber

Answer: Most insurance companies do not cover driver's physicals, even if you report a preventive E/M code (99381-99387 for a new patient or 99391-99397 for an established patient). Physician offices often create their own codes and fees for the encounter and ask patients to pay at the time of service.