How do you know if its 99213 or 99214?

Asked by: Lilyan Kohler  |  Last update: April 21, 2025
Score: 5/5 (26 votes)

The American Medical Association (AMA) outlines time requirements for these codes, reflecting the complexity of services rendered. CPT Code 99213: Generally involves 20 minutes spent on patient care. CPT Code 99214: Typically requires approximately 30 minutes spent with the patient.

How to determine a 99213 vs 99214?

The primary difference between CPT code 99213 and 99214 lies in the complexity and time involved. While 99213 is for a low level of medical decision-making, 99214 is used for moderate complexity, requiring a higher level of medical decision-making and more extensive history and examination.

What constitutes a 99213 office visit?

The 99213 code is specifically used for office visits that involve moderate medical decision-making and complexity. It is suitable for patients with established conditions or those with new, uncomplicated symptoms. These services encompass a range of primary care services that address the immediate needs of patients.

What qualifies as a 99214?

Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and moderate level of medical decision making.

What is the difference between 99213 and 99214 optometry?

For a 99213 office visit, six to eight elements are required for the exam component; for a 99214 visit, nine elements are required. Both 99211 and 99215 account for less then 2% of total office visits in eye care for established patients. This is representative of what I see in our office.

What is a level 4 office / outpatient visit in medical coding? 99214 & 99204 explained.

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When should I use 99213?

CPT® code 99213: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 20-29 minutes. As the authority on the CPT® code set, the AMA is providing the top-searched codes to help remove obstacles and burdens that interfere with patient care.

What is the CPT code for a routine eye exam?

The comprehensive (92004, 92014) services include a general examination of the complete visual system and always include initiation of diagnostic and treatment programs.

When not to use modifier 25?

Modifier 25 should not be used when: ❌ The sole purpose of the encounter is for the procedure (e.g., lesion removal), and there is no documented medical necessity for a separate E/M service.

Can you bill a 99214 for telephone visit?

For the duration of the public health emergency, CMS and some private payers are allowing audio-only telephone calls to be billed in the same way as in-person visits and these visits will be paid in equivalent amounts as E&M codes 99212-99214.

Can 99213 be billed for 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.

What qualifies as an office visit?

An office visit is any direct personal exchange between an ambulatory patient and a physician or members of their staff for the purpose of seeking care and rendering health services.

Is 99213 preventive?

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.

What is an example of a 99213 visit?

An example of a 99203 or 99213 is a sinus infection treated with an antibiotic. Although the prescription makes the risk component moderate, the one acute uncomplicated illness is a low-complexity problem, and there are no data points.

What category of codes do you bill for new patient office visit?

CPT® code 99203: New patient office visit, 30-44 minutes | American Medical Association.

Can you bill 99213 with modifier 25?

If the E/M is not bundled into the stress test, then the Cardiologist's coder can use modifier 25 to indicate that these two services were separate and significant: 99213-25, 93015.

Can you bill an office visit and a procedure on the same day?

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.

What is CPT code 99213 used for?

CPT Code 99213 Description:

Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires at least two of these three components to be present in the medical record: An expanded problem focused history. An expanded problem focused examination.

What qualifies for 99214?

According to CPT, 99214 is indicated for an “office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires at least two of these three key components: a detailed history, a detailed examination and medical decision making of moderate complexity.” [For more detailed ...

How many minutes is a 99214 visit?

Providers must spend between 30 and 39 minutes with the patient, including face-to-face time, counseling, and coordination of care, to meet the time-based requirements for CPT 99214.

Does 99214 require dilation?

Therefore, some exam elements may not be performed. A detailed history and moderate decision making are appropriate for 99214. The physician should perform the exam elements based on medical necessity; often this includes dilation.

What CPT codes can an optometrist bill?

  • Many encounters will use the 92002–92014 Eye Care services codes.
  • Diagnosis and treatment CPT codes are 92015–92396.
  • Surgical eye and ocular adnexa codes are 65091–68899.

What is the S code in medical billing?

S codes are a set of Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes that were originally requested by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The codes are listed by the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS), but they are never for use on claims filed to Medicare.

Does tamp cover vision?

Active Duty Family Members (Including TAMP)

Starting at age six, one routine eye exam annually (once every 12 months).