this is an issue that has come up regarding whether or not the vitals are "required" for a 99211. this is a coumadin visit where the pt sees only the nurse and the dr reviews the results and signs off on the note (he is on site). the nurse does a finger stick to get the level and in most cases a 99211 is used....there are exceptions, of course, she then makes the determination for coumadin changes. the pt is advised of the change and any further instructions and these are all given by the nurse. we've looked in several different places for a specific answer, but they all seem a bit vague. can you help or give us a direction we can go in. we believe they should be done, but the manager is wanting something that is basically black and white. thanks in advance for your help.
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Wiki 99211 and blood pressure
- Thread starter jeannie1
- Start date
Personally from experience working with cardiologist, they check vitals just to make sure that everything is the same as the last visit, if something is wrong the visit will turn in to more than just a pro time. In most cases its a way of avoiding an unnecessary mishaps in the patient's care knowing we saw them last. 
mitchellde
True Blue
There is a CMS transmittal that does state you cannot bill a 99211 for a blood collection encounter. Taking the vitals is a necessary part of the blood collection . For a finger stick use the 36416