Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: One of our surgeons visits patients at their homes occasionally to evaluate herniated disks or other debilitating spinal problems. How should we report this?

New Jersey Subscriber Answer: You should code home visits similarly to the way you report regular office visits. When the physician performs an E/M service in the private residence of a new patient, you should choose from the 99341-99345 series (Home visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient ...). For established patient visits, use 99347-99350 (Home visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient ...).

As with in-office visits for new patients, your physician must meet all of the requirements for history, examination and decision-making to correctly use 99341-99345. You have to meet two of those requirements when using 99347-99350.

Remember: The medical record should document that your physician was present in the patient's home. And the record must support a medically necessary reason for the home visit in lieu of an office visit. The patient doesn't have to be confined to the home but must have a chief complaint.