decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2006 Issue 11 (November)
Drug-screening
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Article Overview
This short Find-A-Code article addresses a common billing question about drug-screen collection encounters, including when only specimen handling is performed and when a minimal evaluation and management service may be considered. It is relevant to nurses, billers, and coding staff who need to understand how documentation and visit purpose affect reportable services.
Why This Topic Matters
Drug-screen collection encounters are easy to overbill or underbill if the service provided is not clearly documented. This article helps readers evaluate whether a visit is limited to collection/handling or includes enough documented patient care to support an E/M service.
What You Will Learn
- How drug-screen collection visits are distinguished from evaluation and management services
- Why documentation and visit purpose matter in billing decisions
- What types of in-office activities may affect whether a service is reportable
- How send-out testing arrangements can affect what a practice can bill
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Nurses
- Practice managers
- Compliance staff
Codes Discussed
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