Subsequent Hospital Visit : Coverage and Documentation Requirements
This Comparative Billing Report (CBR) focuses on physicians who submit claims for Subsequent Hospital Care Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services (CPT code 99231-99233). CBR information is one of the many tools used to assist individual providers to become proactive in addressing potential billing issues and performing internal audits to ensure compliance with Medicare guidelines.
For your personalized Subsequent Hospital Care (E/M) Services (CPT code 99231-99233) eCBR results Logon to eServices.
Subsequent Hospital Care E/M Services (CPT Codes): Overview of Key Components
The key components of E/M including those services billed for Subsequent Hospital Care are:
- History
- Examination and
- Medical decision-making
Note: When billing subsequent hospital care, two of the three key components must be fully documented in order to bill. When counseling and/or coordination of care dominates (more than 50 percent) the physician/patient and/or family encounter (at the bedside and floor/unit time in the hospital), then time may be considered the key or controlling factor to qualify for a particular level of E/M services. The extent of such time must be documented in the medical record.
Subsequent Hospital Care (CPT 99231-99233) Documentation Requirements
|
CPT Code
|
Description
|
Problem Focused Examination
|
Documentation Requirements (two of three below must be met or exceeded)
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
99231
|
15 minutes
Chief complaint
|
Limited examination of the affected body area or organ system
|
(Based on either straightforward or low complexity) Minimal number of diagnoses or management options; None or minimal amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed; Minimal risk of significant complications, morbidity and/or mortality or Limited number of diagnoses or management options; Limited amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed; low risk of significant complications, morbidity and/or mortality
|
|
99232
|
25 minutes
Chief complaint
|
Limited examination of the affected body area or organ system and any other symptomatic or related body area(s)or organ system(s)
|
|
|
99233
|
35 minutes
Chief complaint
|
Extended examination of the affected body area(s) or organ system(s) and any other symptomatic or related body area(s) or organ system(s)
|
Extensive number of diagnoses or management options
Extensive amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed
High risk of significant complications, morbidity and/or mortality
|
Education Resources:
The Provider Outreach and Education (POE) team has published an educational video to address the issues pertinent to Subsequent Hospital Care CPT Codes. Your practice is being advised to view this video.
The Navigating the Components of Subsequent Hospital Care article is also a good resource.
Methods:
The metrics reviewed in this CBR are the proportion of billing for each HCPCS code in the grouping with comparisons done to peers within the state and jurisdiction. This report is an analysis of Medicare Part B claims extracted from the Palmetto GBA data warehouse. The analysis shows the portions of your Subsequent Hospital Care E/M family of codes (CPT codes 99231-99233) claims at each level compared to your peers in JM.
Example of eCBR Results from eServices:
Please be aware that the information contained within this CBR is not intended to be punitive or an indication of fraud. Rather, it is intended to be proactive communication that will assist you in identifying potential billing issues and help you with performing a self-audit of your conformity with Medicare guidelines.