Wiki 99173 vision screening with E/M

[cmercado0526]

Good morning,
I need an opinion, please. When a patient comes into our urgent care facility for any eye issue, a vision screening is done, even if it is just for possible conjunctivitis. Should this 99173 be billed separately or should it be considered part of the E/M service? I think it should be included in the E/M service, but the facility I work in is billing it separately, and our Medicare patients are being stuck with a bill because conjunctivitis does not justify this charge.
Thanks in advance for any input!
Cathy

 

[thomas7331]

I agree with you - and per NCCI, 99173 is inclusive to the E&M service. And since it is related to the presenting problem, it would not be appropriate to unbundle it with a modifier. In addition, it is not an appropriate code in this situation because it is not a screening if the service is being done due to an eye complaint. A screening, by definition, is a preventive service done for patients without symptoms.