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Pulmonology Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

E/M Visit

Published on Mon Dec 31, 2012

Question: A patient suffered from severe shortness of breath. She was given oxygen. During that time, her vital signs were taken, and an ambulance was called. What are the appropriate codes?

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Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.


  Answer: The first question to ask is: Who performed the service?

If a nurse administered the oxygen and took the vital signs and the physician was merely present in the office, it would be billed as 99211 (office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, that may not require the presence of a physician. Usually, the presenting problem(s) are minimal ...). This code lists 5 minutes as a typical amount of time for the service.
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