Wiki Non face to face E/M with patient

[Tonyj]

Patients' son came in for discussion with physician. (see Below) I have the HPI, NO physical exam, obviously, labs and scans reviewed and A/P. Can I bill the E/M w/o face to face visit with the patient? If so, I have an EPF/HPI, NO PE, H/MDM, would I drop the code to level 3 or level 4?

CHIEF COMPLAINT: The patient is a 78-year-old female with gastric cancer.

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS: The history of present illness is well characterized in my note of 01/24/2011. Her son came in. The patient herself is home.

 

[LLovett]

Based on age I am guessing this is a medicare patient. If that is the case this is not billable to medicare. No face to face, no E/M.

Laura, CPC, CPMA, CEMC

 

[mitchellde]

I agree the only code you could bill would be 99358 but time would have to documented and you would need a minimum of 30 minutes

 

[Tonyj]

Thanks for the input.