billing for physician-patient phone calls

[myrandom2003]

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Just wondering if anyone is billing for phone calls.
I usually drop a short note in the EMR to document the call and what was discussed.

These are the codes I came across:



Telephone Services–Physician

99441 phone call 5 to 10 minutes of medical discussion
99442 phone call 11 to 20 minutes of medical discussion
99443 phone call 21 to 31 minutes of medical discussion

Telephone Services–Non-Physician Healthcare Provider

Non-physician refers to a nurse, nurse practitioner or physician assistant (see physician extenders)
98966 phone call 5 to 10 minutes of medical discussion
98967 phone call 11 to 20 minutes of medical discussion
98968 phone call 21 to 30 minutes of medical discussion

Online Services – Physician
99444 Email or some other online service to discuss a medical problem

Online Services – Non-Physician Healthcare Provider

Non-physician refers to a nurse, nurse practitioner or physician assistant (see physician extenders)
98969 Email or some other online service to discuss a medical problem


I realize that these codes are probably not going to be paid, but I figure if i'm take the time to talk and put a note in the chart, I will send a bill.

 

[Jitter Bug]

Don't bother. They won't be paid. Just learn to minimize your phone calls and accept that some have to be made.

Also if you bill a phone call and it's not paid by insurance it will be kicked back to your patients, who may gripe about paying for a phone call, especially if none of their friends have to pay for phone calls.