ollielooya
True Blue
Help determining E/M level please… I have come up with 99214 and would like to know if improved documentation might elevate this to 99215 based on E/M time factor coding or am I caught in the crack by it not being the 40 minutes necessary? OR, am I back to 99214? Help, please!
HPI = comprehensive (location, timing, modifiying factors, associated signs and conditions;
ROS = 2 (Neuro), Const. OR Psych (which one would be correct?) =DETAILED
PFSH = DETAILED
PE = EPF
Summation: Comprehensive + ROS (DET) + PFSH/DETAILED = DETAILED
Examination = EPF
MDM = Moderate + (data) ??? Moderate (how many points can be found in this chart note?) + Risk (moderate) = 99214. Do I even need to be concerned about this when coding based on time?
My conclusion is that IF doctor spent more than 50% of the time in C&C and documented it as such, a 99215 could be assigned. An additional Prolonged Service Code would NOT be justified. Can I get experienced E&M coders to comment? Are there any shortcut factors here that can be immediately determined to arrive at this upper level coding? ---Suzanne, CPC-A
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The patient reports she continues to have daily pain localized to the neck region. The pain may spread to the head and is on a continuous basis. He has been using occasional Percocet. Patient denies any withdrawal symptoms and indicates his mood has been stable. The pain may spread to the vertex.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
Patient is alert and oriented with fluent speech and intact verbal comprehension. Extraocular movements are intact. Pupils are equal, round and reactive to light. Fundi are sharp with flat discs, and no papilledema is noted. No postural tremor is present. There are spasms in the trapezii. There is tenderness in the cervical facet region and spasms in trapezeii.
Diagnosis List:
Chronic migraine headaches without aura
.DX: Cervical facet syndrome
.DX: Cervicogenic headaches
Reported cancer of vocal cords
Depression
Anxiety
Cerebral aneurysms
I advised the patient to follow up with a pain specialist regarding cervical facet blocks. I had a long discussion with the patient regarding the different etiologies and presentation of his headaches.
I advised him to discontinue Advil and try Naprelan. He may try muscle relaxants and samples of Amrix and Skelaxin were provided.
Patient was advised to schedule follow up in three weeks.
Total face-to-face contact time with patient was about 35 minute
(Rx list follows of past and current medication)
HPI = comprehensive (location, timing, modifiying factors, associated signs and conditions;
ROS = 2 (Neuro), Const. OR Psych (which one would be correct?) =DETAILED
PFSH = DETAILED
PE = EPF
Summation: Comprehensive + ROS (DET) + PFSH/DETAILED = DETAILED
Examination = EPF
MDM = Moderate + (data) ??? Moderate (how many points can be found in this chart note?) + Risk (moderate) = 99214. Do I even need to be concerned about this when coding based on time?
My conclusion is that IF doctor spent more than 50% of the time in C&C and documented it as such, a 99215 could be assigned. An additional Prolonged Service Code would NOT be justified. Can I get experienced E&M coders to comment? Are there any shortcut factors here that can be immediately determined to arrive at this upper level coding? ---Suzanne, CPC-A
----------------------------------------------------------
The patient reports she continues to have daily pain localized to the neck region. The pain may spread to the head and is on a continuous basis. He has been using occasional Percocet. Patient denies any withdrawal symptoms and indicates his mood has been stable. The pain may spread to the vertex.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
Patient is alert and oriented with fluent speech and intact verbal comprehension. Extraocular movements are intact. Pupils are equal, round and reactive to light. Fundi are sharp with flat discs, and no papilledema is noted. No postural tremor is present. There are spasms in the trapezii. There is tenderness in the cervical facet region and spasms in trapezeii.
Diagnosis List:
Chronic migraine headaches without aura
.DX: Cervical facet syndrome
.DX: Cervicogenic headaches
Reported cancer of vocal cords
Depression
Anxiety
Cerebral aneurysms
I advised the patient to follow up with a pain specialist regarding cervical facet blocks. I had a long discussion with the patient regarding the different etiologies and presentation of his headaches.
I advised him to discontinue Advil and try Naprelan. He may try muscle relaxants and samples of Amrix and Skelaxin were provided.
Patient was advised to schedule follow up in three weeks.
Total face-to-face contact time with patient was about 35 minute
(Rx list follows of past and current medication)