Wiki Does a patient need to be present for an E/M?

[mpayson]

Our providers see patients in the nursing home setting and trying to bill a 99307 for review of labs when the patient is not present/not being seen. Some are under the impression that the since an exam is not needed for this low level visit they can do a "visit" while the patient is not on the unit/floor. No changes in medication are being done so I don't see any MDM. Can someone please verify that in order to bill an E/M service the patient needs to present?

 

[Orthocoderpgu]

Keep in mind that this does not fall under 2021 E/M. Meaning you need 2/3 key components to bill the code. How can you perform 2 out of three components if your not even seeing the patient? Call the insurance companies that are being billed for these "visits" and see what their answer is. My guess is that you would be cutting them a check.