tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2006 Issue 10

Reader Question ~ Phone Consult Codes Rarely Recognized

Question: A patient reports to the ED after hurting her leg while roller skating. After a level-three E/M service, the physician determines that the patient has a closed fracture of the tibial shaft alone, which she treats without manipulation. During the course of treating the injury, the ED physician calls an orthopedist to discuss treatment options. The medical record states that the phone call lasted five minutes. Can we bill for the phone call separately?Minnesota  SubscriberAnswer: There is a CPT code set for phone calls involving patient management or consultations, 99371-99373. But you-ll have a hard time gaining...

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