jenarnold
Contributor
Hello Everyone,
In using time to calculate a level of service in 2021, are there any exceptions to how time is counted when a translator is necessary to communicate with the patient?
For example: A 47-year-old established Laotian-speaking male patient returns to the office with a new complaint of unilateral hearing loss. History obtained through the translator reveals that he had cold symptoms last week which seemed to resolve, but then he lost hearing in his left ear. It is not complete, but sounds are diminished. He has no other complaints. HEENT exam is negative. Patient is prescribed antibiotic drops for possible infection. This visit takes a total of 21 minutes including appropriate history, exam, assessment, medication explanation and communication via translator.
Using time to level the service, 21 minutes would qualify for 99213. Would 99213 still be appropriate even though some of that time was spent translating? I haven't been able to find anything specifically stating time does or doesn't include time spent with a patient that requires a translator.
Thanks in advance for your time.
In using time to calculate a level of service in 2021, are there any exceptions to how time is counted when a translator is necessary to communicate with the patient?
For example: A 47-year-old established Laotian-speaking male patient returns to the office with a new complaint of unilateral hearing loss. History obtained through the translator reveals that he had cold symptoms last week which seemed to resolve, but then he lost hearing in his left ear. It is not complete, but sounds are diminished. He has no other complaints. HEENT exam is negative. Patient is prescribed antibiotic drops for possible infection. This visit takes a total of 21 minutes including appropriate history, exam, assessment, medication explanation and communication via translator.
Using time to level the service, 21 minutes would qualify for 99213. Would 99213 still be appropriate even though some of that time was spent translating? I haven't been able to find anything specifically stating time does or doesn't include time spent with a patient that requires a translator.
Thanks in advance for your time.