decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2008 Issue 4 (April)
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Article Overview
This article addresses a practical physician coding question about non-face-to-face record review time in the context of evaluation and management services. It explains the general coding issue, references the CPT E/M guidance that frames the discussion, and includes a short correction notice from a prior issue. It is relevant to coders, billers, and practice staff who handle office E/M documentation and reimbursement questions.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers understand how long-standing record-review work fits into established E/M valuation concepts and why it generally should not be treated as a separately billable add-on in this context. The correction notice also alerts readers to a specific printed drug-code reference change.
Article Sections
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Question
A reader asks about whether physician time spent reviewing extensive prior medical records for a new patient can be separately charged.
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Answer
The response discusses the CPT E/M time framework and the broader treatment of non-face-to-face work in service valuation. It also offers a general practice-management suggestion for reducing unnecessary records review time.
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Correction
A short correction notice identifies a prior printing error and provides the revised code reference.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames physician time spent reviewing old records within E/M services
- What general CPT E/M guidance is referenced in discussing non-face-to-face work
- A practice workflow suggestion intended to reduce records-review burden
- That the issue includes a separate printed correction notice
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Practice managers
- Physician office administrators
- Compliance staff
Codes Discussed
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