Can a nurse practitioner bill a 99213?
Asked by: Jared Abbott | Last update: September 2, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (65 votes)
What are the criteria for 99213 billing?
CPT code 99213 is an evaluation and management (E/M) code for office or other outpatient visits, typically used for established patients who require a low level of medical decision-making (MDM) and management. If choosing the code based on time, the encounter involves 20 or more minutes of total time on the visit date.
What CPT codes can nurse practitioners use?
CPT codes for NP visits
Are there CPT codes that specify when a patient sees a nurse practitioner (NP) in a physician's office? No. Generally, when an NP or physician assistant (PA) sees a patient in a physician's office, he or she should use the usual office or other outpatient visit codes (99201-99215).
Can a nurse practitioner bill for a new patient visit?
For example, if an NP conducts a visit with a new patient, the practice must make a choice -- bill the visit under the NP's provider number or bill the visit under the physician's provider number and have the physician, not the NP, perform and document the portions of the evaluation relevant to the choice of procedure ...
Can you bill 99213 for a nurse visit?
The 99213 code is used by a wide range of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. It is typically used for office visits that require a moderate level of medical decision-making and complexity.
Billing for NPs and PAs Office Visits
Can you bill 99213 for telehealth?
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, many physiatrists are performing standard office visits via telehealth. These services should be billed using standard E/M codes. For example, a level 3 office visit provided to an established patient via telehealth should be billed using code 99213.
How do nurse practitioners bill?
NPs, CNSs and PAs may apply for individual provider numbers for direct billing purposes. All covered services rendered may be billed using the advanced practitioner's direct provider number. The categories of third-party payers who may reimburse for NP/PA services are: Medicare.
Can nurse practitioners see patients without a doctor?
27 states are nurse practitioner independent practice states, which means they can evaluate patients, order tests, and prescribe medication. Other states, however, do not allow NPs to work autonomously via independent practice.
Can a nurse practitioner bill 99204?
Code 99204 represents a new patient appointment that's at least 45 minutes in duration. It's a prescriber code, which means it's most commonly used by psychiatrists or nurse practitioners.
What is the reimbursement rate for nurse practitioners?
So, nurse practitioner reimbursement for services provided to patients varies by state. States reimburse nurse practitioners at anywhere from 75% to 100% of the physician rate.
Can nurse practitioners run a code?
Q: Do you run codes and/or intubate patients? A: No. In the emergency department where I am employed, nurse practitioners do not run codes or intubate patients. This is not true of nurse practitioners in all ER settings, particularly those working in rural settings or in critical access hospitals.
What is the billing modifier for nurse practitioners?
Though HCPCS specifies “nurse practitioner” in the descriptor, modifier SA may also be used when billing for services provided by physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, or other advanced practice professionals specified in a payer's policy.
Is 99213 a preventive code?
However, if you bill an additional office visit code (for example, 15 minute expanded problem visit code 99213 with modifier 25), this is NOT considered a preventive service, and may be subject to deductibles, copays or coinsurance.
How to code a 99213?
- Provide an Expanded Problem-Focused History. ...
- Thoroughly Document the Expanded Problem-Focused Examination. ...
- Detail the Medical Decision Making of Low Complexity. ...
- Document Face-to-Face Time and Direct Interaction. ...
- Use Specific and Descriptive Language.
Does CPT 99213 need a modifier?
If the circumstance calls for a Level 3 established patient visit (CPT code 99213) to be billed with psychological testing (such as CPT code 96101), modifier 59 would be appended to the testing code.
What can an NP not do?
Essentially, a nurse practitioner can do everything a doctor can do, although they are not able to perform surgical procedures. Doctors may, on average, complete more specialized training as well, although nurse practitioners complete extensive education and training programs as well.
Should I choose an NP or MD for primary care?
It's necessary to visit a primary care doctor for persistent illnesses or for close monitoring of a pre-existing condition. While a nurse practitioner can handle these issues, your primary care doctor may be more adept at analyzing your entire medical history to troubleshoot issues and create a treatment plan.
Can a nurse practitioner refer to a specialist?
Nurse practitioners can prescribe medicine, conduct cancer screenings, diagnose illnesses, and recommend patients to specialists.
Can an NP bill a new patient visit?
The practice has two options. First, the NP could simply bill that visit using the direct method (under the NP's name). Alternately, a physician could see the new patient to set the plan of care, with the visit reported by the physician.
Can an NP write a doctors note?
Who can write my note? A physician must write and sign your note to confirm they recommend the service or item and what medical condition it treats. Examples of physicians eligible to write letters are naturopathic doctors (ND, NMD), physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and osteopathic physicians.
What is indirect billing for nurse practitioners?
Under indirect billing, an NP or PA independently evaluates and treats the patient, but the bill is submitted under the supervising physician.
What is the criteria for the 99213 code?
Procedure Code 99213 Time Length:
15 minutes in length, as determined by their level of risk and complexity of treatment. If a client has a more complex treatment plan requiring additional time, bill evaluation and management CPT Code 99214 or 99215 to designating higher risk and complexity of services.
What is the 7 day telehealth rule?
The communication cannot be related to a medical visit within the previous seven days and cannot lead to medical visit within the next 24 hours (or soonest appointment available). Physician or other clinician may respond to patient by telephone, audio/video, secure text messaging, email, or patient portal.
Can you bill for office visit and procedure?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The decision to perform a minor procedure is included in the payment for the procedure, unless a significant and separate E/M is needed, performed and documented.