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Primary Care Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Include Prescriptions in E/M Service

Published on Thu Sep 06, 2012

Question: My physician heard that there's a code we can report and be paid for just when he writes a prescription. Is this true? If there is such a code, can we report it in addition to an E/M service or when a patient calls in and the physician simply writes a prescription out?New Jersey Subscriber Answer: Your physician heard some incorrect information. There is no CPT® code that you should report when your physician simply writes a prescription for a patient. As a matter of fact, CPT® specifically includes writing prescriptions as part of an E/M service. Your office should consider prescription writing as part of the work of other services provided to patients. Coding solution: If the physician or a nurse in your office sees the patient, you should report the appropriate E/M code -- for example, an established patient code (99211-99215, Office or other outpatient visit for the [...]
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