Reader Question ~ Making the Most of Telephone Time

Why This Topic Matters

Telephone calls are a common part of care coordination, but payment and documentation treatment can vary by payer. Understanding the article helps practices recognize when telephone time may be bundled into other services and when payer-specific policies may affect reimbursement.

Article Sections

1. Question

   A reader asks about whether physician telephone time can be separately reimbursed or included in other services.

2. Answer

   The response addresses general payer treatment of telephone services, discusses reimbursement variation, and explains how telephone-related work may relate to evaluation and management documentation.

3. Tip

   This section notes the importance of documenting telephone conversations in the medical record when they are considered as part of later visit documentation.

4. Pointer

   This section emphasizes documenting the call within the office note if the work is being incorporated into the next visit.

5. Bottom line

   A summary statement describes general bundling of telephone calls with evaluation and management services and identifies broad factors that may make a call relevant to later documentation.