Wiki CPT Code 99211 - E&M Office

[Nicolle1113]

For Covid19 testing, 99211 was authorized to be billed as a specimen collection code. Can 99211 also be billed as a STI (Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) collection code?

What does CPT code 99211 mean?
CPT defines this code as an “office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient that may not require the presence of a physician.” It further states that the presenting problems are usually minimal, and typically five minutes are spent performing or supervising these services.

 

[Darlene1960]

A blood pressure check would be an example of using 99211 per my coding notes.

 

[csperoni]

For Covid19 testing, 99211 was authorized to be billed as a specimen collection code. Can 99211 also be billed as a STI (Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) collection code?

What does CPT code 99211 mean?
CPT defines this code as an “office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient that may not require the presence of a physician.” It further states that the presenting problems are usually minimal, and typically five minutes are spent performing or supervising these services.

For STI collection, TYPICALLY, the clinician is evaluating the patient, discussing any signs/symptoms, ordering the test(s), performing an exam and collecting the specimen. In that scenario, 99211 would be undercoding the visit. That would more likely be 99212-99214.
If it was a situation where the clinician had already performed the evaluation, discussion, and ordering (like perhaps via telehealth) and then the patient presented just for the specimen collection, then 99211 would likely be appropriate.