Understanding E/M: Calling patient with test results is not a telephone E/M service

Why This Topic Matters

Understanding how telephone E/M guidance applies helps practices avoid inaccurate reporting and better align documentation and coding workflows for patient communications.

Article Sections

1. Question

   Introduces the scenario involving patient calls about test results and asks whether the calls may be reported as telephone E/M services.

2. Answer

   Explains the general guidance discussed in the article and frames why the reported phone calls are not treated as reportable telephone E/M services in the described situation.

3. Telephone E/M guidance and bundling considerations

   Summarizes CPT guidance on telephone evaluation and management services and notes the circumstances discussed in the article where such services are considered part of another service.

4. CPT Assistant example and documentation reminder

   References a CPT Assistant scenario used to reinforce the topic and highlights the documentation concepts mentioned in the article.