General Surgery Coding Alert - 2019 Issue 2
Reader Question: Let These Guidelines Drive NPP Virtual Visit Code Choice
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Article Overview
This reader Q&A addresses documentation and reporting considerations for virtual communication services involving a patient’s guardian and a non-physician provider. It focuses on general guidance for online evaluation/assessment services, record retention, timing and relationship to other services, and the fact that reimbursement policies may differ by payer. The article is aimed at coding and billing staff who need to document these encounters consistently and understand the general scope of applicable guidance.
Why This Topic Matters
Healthcare organizations need clear documentation practices for electronic patient communications so encounters are recorded consistently even when payer coverage is limited or absent. This article helps readers understand the broad compliance and reporting context for online and phone-based communications involving non-physician providers.
What You Will Learn
- How online patient communications with a guardian are documented at a high level
- What general documentation elements are associated with virtual evaluation and management encounters
- How guidance may differ for physician and non-physician provider reporting
- Why payer reimbursement policies may not match documentation expectations
- Why phone-based communications are discussed alongside online encounters
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing specialists
- Practice managers
- Compliance staff
- Non-physician providers
Codes Discussed
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