Wiki E/M telephone call after zero days surgery

[umas86]

Hi,
I need a clarification regarding billing a follow up phone call after few days of performing zerodays surgery.
For ex-
I called Ms.----- to check on her this morning. She has occasional
nausea which is being helped with Phenergan. She is able to keep liquids down
but has not had a great appetite as yet. She has minimal right flank discomfort
but not requiring pain medication. The immediate postoperative hematuria has
resolved.

Is this charge billable or should be considered as a part of procedure. Thanks in advance

 

[jkyles]

Hi, I assume you're talking about one of the audio-only E/M codes (98008-98015). According to the CPT manual you can if it meets the requirements for the E/M code and the patient agrees to an telemedicine service in place of an in-person encounter. The virtual check-in code would not be appropriate.