WHAT'S NEW IN 2008

Telephone and Online E&M Codes

There are 242 new codes for 2008. The most commonly used codes are the E & M codes. Telephone consultation/follow-up is becoming more common. There are three new telephone codes: 99441-99443. These are services you render over the telephone and they are considered Evaluation and Management services for established patients only (not for new patients!). These services are rendered upon the request of your patient. Remember that you cannot bill this code if you have just seen the patient within the last 24 hours. Or if the reason for the phone call is regarding the same problem you saw the patient for E/M for the previous 7 days

99441 - Telephone evaluation and management service provided by a physician to an established patient, parent or guardian not originating from a related E/M service provided within the previous 7 days nor leading to an E/M service or procedure within the next 24 hours or soonest available; - 5-10 minutes of medical discussion
99442 - 11-20 minutes of medical discussion
99443 - 21-30 minutes of medical discussion

These are time-based codes.

To keep up with technology there is a new E&M code for online consultations or physician responses to established patients.

99444 - Online evaluation and management service provided by a physician to an established patient, guardian or healthcare provider not originating from a related E/M service provided within the previous 7 days, using the Internet or similar electronic communications network

As always these services (telephone & online services) must be documented in real time in the patients chart/medical record. Before you bill any of these services please check with your payer to see if the services are billable/payable. .

Not all new codes are payable. Please check with each insurance company to see if they allowing payment before you bill any new code.

Last modified: 03/14/08