Reader Questions: Combine These E/M Encounters at Your Peril

Why This Topic Matters

Multi-day encounter workflows can create compliance and reimbursement risk if services are split in ways that do not meet billing requirements. Understanding the scope of E/M reporting rules helps practices avoid denied claims, documentation problems, and improper charge capture.

Article Sections

1. Question

   Presents a multi-day new-patient encounter scenario involving telehealth and an in-person visit. The question asks whether separate encounters on different days can be billed individually.

2. Answer

   Explains the general billing concern raised by splitting work across multiple dates of service. The section addresses date-of-service limitations, service completeness, and the possibility of payer review.

3. Red flag

   Highlights the compliance and claim-processing risk associated with combining work from different days. It notes that documentation and payer scrutiny may be affected when services are spread over multiple consecutive dates.