How to bill a preventive visit?

Asked by: Kelsie Hoppe  |  Last update: March 10, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (20 votes)

Preventive visits are reported with screening Z codes along with preventive services CPT® or HCPCS Level II codes (depending on payer). The Z code indicates that the exam was planned, and the CPT® or HCPCS Level II code indicates the service was performed.

How to code a preventive visit?

Preventive visit codes 99381-99397 include “counseling/anticipatory guidance/risk factor reduction interventions,” according to CPT. However, when such counseling is provided as part of a separate problem-oriented encounter, it may be billed using preventive medicine codes 99401-99409.

Can you bill CPT 99213 and 99396 together?

In this case, you may submit codes for both a preventive service (such as 99396) and a regular office visit (such as 99213) by attaching -25 to the office-visit code.

Can you bill an office visit with a preventive visit?

Physicians are not prohibited from coding and billing for both preventive and problem-focused E/M services when they are performed during the same appointment.

What is CPT code 99395 preventive visit?

The 99395 CPT code is used to describe a preventive (well-patient) outpatient office visit for an established patient between the ages of 18 and 39.

BILLING TIPS ON WELCOME TO MEDICARE VISIT AND ANNUAL WELLNESS VISIT

24 related questions found

What is the difference between 99396 and 99395?

adolescent (age 12 through 17 years) 99395 …18-39 years. 99396 … 40-64 years.

What is considered a preventive visit?

A medical preventive visit is a yearly doctor's appointment intended to prevent illnesses and detect health concerns early, before symptoms are noticeable. Preventive visits could be an annual physical, well-child exam, Medicare wellness exam or welcome to Medicare visit.

Can I use modifier 25 on a preventive visit?

Modifier 25 should be appended to the office or other outpatient visit code to indicate that a significant, separately identifiable E/M service was provided on the same date as the preventive medicine E/M service, and the appropriate preventive medicine E/M service is additionally reported without a modifier.

What is the difference between preventive and wellness visit?

Preventive care is things like getting your yearly check ups, your vaccinations, things like that to keep you from getting sick. And then wellness care would be like, "I'm sick I should go to the doctor now."

Why did my insurance not cover my doctor visit?

In some cases, the service simply isn't covered by the plan. In other cases, necessary prior authorization wasn't obtained, the provider wasn't in-network, or the claim was coded incorrectly.

What are the billing guidelines for 99396?

The billing guidelines for CPT Code 99396 include documenting medical necessity, accurately documenting the time spent during the visit, using appropriate modifiers for separate services, and obtaining consent or advance beneficiary notice (ABN) if applicable.

Why am I being charged for preventive care?

Although you don't pay cost-sharing charges when you receive preventive care, the cost of those services is wrapped into the cost of your health insurance. Thus, whether or not you choose to get the recommended preventive care, you're paying for it through the cost of your health insurance premiums anyway.

What is a 25 modifier used for in medical billing?

Modifier 25 is used to signify that when a separate identifiable evaluation-and-management (E/M) service was performed, which can refer to two evaluation-and-management (E/M) services, or a procedure plus an E/M service.

Can you bill 99213 and 99395 together?

can be used 99213 with 99395 at the same visit? Absolutely! You would use the modifier -25 on the 99213. Look at the Preventive Medicine section in CPT® and this is outlined in the narrative explanation prior to the actual listing of codes.

What is the modifier for preventive services?

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) modifier 33 can be used when billing for ACA-designated preventive services with a commercial payer. The addition of modifier 33 communicates to a commercial payer that a given service was provided as an ACA preventive service.

What falls under preventive care?

Preventive Care
  • Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests.
  • Many cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies.
  • Counseling on such topics as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthfully, treating depression, and reducing alcohol use.
  • Regular well-baby and well-child visits.

Can you bill G0439 and 99397 together?

These codes must be used for these services for Medicare beneficiaries. CPT codes 99381-99397 for comprehensive preventive medicine evaluation and management services should not be used to bill for Medicare services covered by HCPCS codes G0402, G0438 and G0439.

Can you bill an office visit with an annual wellness visit?

CPT states that if a new or existing problem is assessed and managed at the time of the preventive visit, the physician should also bill a problem-oriented visit (an office visit) on the day of the preventive care. But insignificant problems that do not require extra work should not be billed as office visits.

How do you code a preventive visit?

CPT® codes 99381-99397 are used for comprehensive preventive evaluations that are age-specific, beginning with infancy and ranging through patients 65 years and older, for both new and established patients.

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.

When to use modifier 24 examples?

Use Modifier 24 on an E/M when: An unrelated E/M service is performed beginning the day after the procedure, by the same physician, during the 10 or 90-day post-operative period. Documentation indicates the service was exclusively for treatment of the underlying condition and not for post-operative care.

Does Medicare pay for preventive visits?

Medicare pays for many preventive services to keep you healthy.

What is considered a preventive prescription?

A preventive drug is one that is considered effective in preventing the development of a health condition or a disease. What is a preventive drug benefit? Some plans may provide a preventive drug benefit, which provides access to preventive drugs at a reduced cost.

What does preventive mean in medical billing?

• Preventive Services are defined as “The act of preventing an illness. or condition from happening” • The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) determines which preventive. services must be covered. Your health plan complies with these ACA guidelines on preventive care and immunizations.