Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: My doctors insist that I charge for telephone calls even though Medicare wont reimburse. What should I do?
     
California Subscriber
 
 
Answer: There is no problem with reporting telephone codes 99371-99373 to track services provided, but do not expect reimbursement from Medicare.
 
The CMS physician fee schedule contains no relative value units for the telephone codes, and Medicare does not reimburse for them. Rather, Medicare considers telephone calls included in other E/M services (see Nov. 25, 1991, Federal Register). Telephone consults (99371-99373) may be used when determining a level of E/M service for a subsequent visit, however.
 
A few third-party payers will reimburse for these services. Ask the individual carrier for its billing guidelines.
 
You may charge the patient for telephone consultations, although most practices prefer not to do so. For the patient who expects to receive all of his or her care and prescriptions over the telephone, however, this may be the only way to recoup the cost of your time. According to HealthCare Consultants 2001 Physician Fee & Coding Guide, average physician fees for these services range from $3 to $40 for 99371, $15 to $65 for 99372, and $25 to $80 for 99373.