AMA CPT® Assistant - 2009 Issue 7 (July)
On-Line Medical Evaluation (July 2009)
July 2009 pages 5-6 On-Line Medical Evaluation In 2005, Category III code 0074T, On-line evaluation and management service, per encounter, provided by a physician, using the Internet or similar electronic communications network, in response to a patient's request, established patient, was created to identify and track on-line evaluation and management (E/M) services. This temporary Category III code was deleted in 2008, and was converted to Category I code 99444, On-line evaluation and management service provided by a physician to an established patient, guardian, or health care provider not originating from a related E/M service provided within the previous 7...
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Article Overview
This July 2009 CPT Assistant article reviews on-line medical evaluation services and the guidance surrounding their reporting. It is relevant to physicians, nonphysician health care professionals, coders, and billing staff who need to understand the general scope of these services, the types of situations they address, and the kinds of exclusions and practice policies discussed in the article.
Why This Topic Matters
On-line evaluation services were a developing area of CPT guidance, and this article helps readers understand the category’s place in outpatient communication and recordkeeping. It also highlights the administrative and compliance considerations associated with reporting these services.
Article Sections
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On-Line Medical Evaluation
Introduces the topic, explains the evolution of the service category, and frames the general purpose of the guidance. It also describes the broad context for on-line evaluation and management services.
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Exclusions
Summarizes the general circumstances in which the service is not separately reported. This section addresses related prior services and other categories discussed in relation to the on-line encounter.
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Clinical Example (99444)
Provides a brief scenario illustrating the type of on-line encounter discussed in the article. The example is presented as part of the article’s explanatory material.
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Description of Procedure (99444)
Describes the general components of the service and how the electronic exchange and related documentation fit into the encounter. It outlines the broader workflow associated with the service.
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Physician and Patient Guidelines
Outlines practice and patient communication policies, privacy considerations, documentation expectations, and operational preparations for on-line services. The section focuses on administrative guidance and workflow planning.
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On-Line Medical Evaluation by Nonphysicians
Addresses related services provided by qualified nonphysician health care professionals and places them within the same general framework. It also notes how the article relates those services to the broader guidance.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames on-line medical evaluation services within CPT guidance
- What general situations are discussed as part of the reporting framework
- Which broad exclusions and related-service considerations are covered
- What practice policies and communication procedures are emphasized
- How the article extends the discussion to nonphysician professionals
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Practice managers
- Compliance staff
- Nonphysician health care professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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