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Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

E/M Visit

Published on Fri Dec 21, 2012

Question: Is it correct to bill an E/M visit for a family meeting despite the absence of the patient? New York Subscriber Answer: E/M codes should be used to bill for family meetings if they meet the criteria for counseling. The appropriate level of service is determined by face-to-face time spent with the physician and family.

E/M services are divided into broad classifications based on the type of service, place of service and patient's status. Counseling is one of the services that can be provided and differs from psychotherapy and is defined as a discussion with a patient and/or family concerning one or more of the following areas:
  Diagnostic results, impressions, and/or recommended diagnostic studies Prognosis Risks and benefits of treatment options Instructions for treatment options Risk-factor reduction Patient and family education. In determining the level of service, oncology practices must consider seven components:
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