decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2023 Issue 6 (June)
Calling patient with test results is not a telephone E/M service
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Article Overview
This article reviews a common coding question about whether calls made to discuss test results can be reported as telephone E/M services. It summarizes relevant CPT guidance, outlines situations where those calls are considered part of other care, and highlights the documentation elements staff should understand. The piece is aimed at physicians, nurse practitioners, coders, and billing staff who handle outpatient communication and charge capture.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate handling of patient calls affects compliant reporting, avoids inappropriate billing, and helps staff recognize when phone communication is already included in another service. The article is useful for practices that regularly communicate results by phone and need to align workflow with CPT-based reporting expectations.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames patient calls about test results under telephone E/M guidance
- Which broad circumstances can make a phone call part of another service
- What documentation concepts are emphasized for billable telephone encounters
- Why staff should distinguish routine result communication from reportable telephone E/M communication
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Practice managers
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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