Wiki Neuropsych

[dbirt13]

Hello
Does anyone know is I can use a nurse to perform a mini-mental 96138? Also, can the see the patient and then the patient be seen for an E&M by the provider?

 

[SharonCollachi]

A mini-mental is not a 96138, neurological and neuropsych testing.

It is included in the E&M code, and is not separately billable.


Q How should I code a Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) performed as part of an office visit with a patient who is having memory problems?

A The physician administration, interpretation and written report associated with the MMSE is included in the E/M code for the patient encounter and cannot be billed separately. The 1997 version of Medicare's Documentation Guidelines for Evaluation and Management Services indicates that “brief assessment of mental status including: orientation to time, place and person; recent and remote memory; mood and affect (e.g., depression, anxiety, agitation)” is one of the exam elements for a general multisystem exam.