Wiki Face to face E/M and the "unit of time is reached when the mid-point is passed" rule

[JeanArlauckas]

Face to face E/M and the "unit of time is reached when the mid-point is passed" rule

When billing for E/M based on time--it's the total amount of face to face time, such as 25 minutes for 99214, with the patient and not the half way point (13 minutes) of a 25 minute office visit correct? E/M is not based on units such as T1013 interpreter services (per 15 minutes), right?

 

[bdcoyne8]

Correct, it is the "total time" spent with the patient, face-to-face, with 50% or more of the time coordinating or counseling care for/with the patient.

 

[Pathos]

Don't forget to have your providers include what was counseling or coordinated:

Per CMS:
"If the physician elects to report the level of service based on counseling and/or coordination of care, the total length of time of the encounter (face-to-face
or floor time, as appropriate) should be documented and the record should describe the counseling and/or activities to coordinate care."

This is a common missed time documentation error, some carriers are more forgiving than others.