tci Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement - 2008 Issue 37
Prolonged Services: Simple Steps To Bill Prolonged Services Without Modifier 21
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article covers a CPT coding change for prolonged evaluation and management services and explains how the prolonged service code series is discussed in relation to office and outpatient E/M coding. It is aimed at coders, billers, and compliance staff who need to understand the 2009 update, the affected E/M context, and the general documentation and timing concepts highlighted in the article.
Why This Topic Matters
The article is relevant because it describes a coding update that changes how prolonged E/M time is reported, which affects claim accuracy and the risk of denials. It helps readers understand the broad coding areas involved so they can evaluate whether the full article applies to their workflows.
Article Sections
-
Rejoice In More Specific Coding
Discusses the transition from the older modifier-based approach to the prolonged service code series and the broader documentation context for the change.
-
Know +99354 through +99357
Covers the prolonged service code series as a time-based add-on concept and describes its relationship to primary E/M services and timing thresholds in general terms.
-
Under 30 Minutes Won't Pay
Addresses the article's discussion of minimum time considerations and the reporting treatment of shorter prolonged services under the updated guidance.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames the CPT update affecting prolonged E/M reporting
- Which general E/M and prolonged service topics are involved
- How the article characterizes the relationship between primary E/M services and add-on prolonged service reporting
- What timing-related concepts the article says readers should review
- Why the change is presented as relevant to billing accuracy and denials
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Practice managers
- Revenue cycle staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.


Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com