What is dental code 99205?

Asked by: Dr. Tre Ebert  |  Last update: September 26, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (36 votes)

New Patient CPT Codes 99201 – 99205: 99204 – Comprehensive, moderate MDM, moderate to high severity, average 45 minute face-to-face visit. 99205 – Comprehensive, high MDM, moderate to high severity, average 60 minute face-to-face visit.

What does procedure code 99205 mean?

99205 Description: Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and high medical decision making.

What type of diagnoses are seen in code 99205?

So to justify the use of 99205, the patient's condition, whether acute or chronic must pose an immediate threat to life or physical function. High risk diagnosis may be: Sudden change to neurological status such as weakness/sensory loss, TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack), seizure.

What are the criteria for Level 5 billing?

Level 5 visits (code 99205) require a high level of medical decision-making and number and complexity of problems addressed (ie, one or more chronic illnesses with severe exacerbation progression or side effects of treatment or one acute or chronic illness that poses a threat to life or bodily function), an extensive ...

How many minutes is 99205?

You can code based on MDM or time thanks to the changes to E/M coding in 2021, which took out the requirements of typical face-to-face patient visits. A single encounter of 60-74 minutes of total time on the visit date is required to code 99205.

Dental Restorative Procedures – CDT Coding

44 related questions found

What is an example of a Level 5 ER visit?

‍An ER visit level 5 typically requires a minimum of three diagnostic tests — for example, a lab plus EKG and X-ray. Or, any type of imaging scan like a CT scan or MRI where a patient must ingest or be injected with contrast material, will automatically qualify your visit as an ER visit level 5.

How much is the 99205 payment?

CPT Code 99205 Reimbursement

The reimbursement rate for CPT Code 99205 is $244.99 for Medicare in 2022. However, it is crucial to note that reimbursement rates may vary depending on the payer and other factors. Therefore, it is essential to stay updated on any changes or updates in reimbursement rates.

Can 99205 be used for telehealth?

Office visit evaluation and management services (CPT codes 99202-99205, 99211-99215) furnished using audio-video telecommunications technology are reported using the same CPT codes as you would have had the visit been conducted in-person.

Does cpt code 99205 need a modifier?

In addition, the appropriate level of E/M service for an office or other outpatient visit for a new or established patient (99202–99205, 99212–99215) would be reported with modifier 25 appended to indicate that a significant, separately identifiable E/M service was provided.

What pays more, 99205 or 90792?

CPT® 2024 American Medical Association.

A level-four or a level-five new patient encounter will pay out higher than 90792. A level-four new patient non-facility code (99204) will pay out approximately $166.22 while a claim for 99205 will fetch $207.06.

What code 99205 reflects a complexity of medical decision making?

Code 99205 represents high complexity medical decision making in medical billing and coding. It is typically used when a provider spends approximately 60 minutes in a face-to-face encounter with a patient, dealing with issues of significant complexity.

What type of diagnoses are seen in level 99205?

High complexity medical decision making: Codes 99205 and 99215 include one or more chronic illnesses with a severe exacerbation, progression, or side effects of treatment, or one acute or chronic illness or injury that poses a threat to life or bodily function.

What is a Level 4 new patient visit?

Level-4 visits with new patients

”): For a 99204, all three major criteria (history, physical exam and medical decision making) must be met. A 99214 requires only two of the three major criteria. For a 99204, the review of systems must include at least 10 systems or body areas.

What is the difference between code 99204 and 99205?

Code 99204 requires a minimum of 45 minutes of face-to-face time with the patient and Code 99205 requires a minimum of 60 minutes face-to-face time with the patient. For both services, at least 50% of the face-to-face time must be spent providing counseling and/or coordination of care.

What qualifies as a telehealth visit?

Telehealth, sometimes referred to as telemedicine, is the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to extend care when you and the patient aren't in the same place at the same time.

What is the difference between 99205 and 99215?

Another important difference between the codes is that the new patient codes (99201–99205) require that all three key components (history, exam and medical decision making) be satisfied, while the established patient codes (99211–99215) require that only two of the three key components be satisfied.

Does a patient have to be present for telehealth?

If verbal, clinician must document in the patient's medical record. Consent does not apply for telehealth not involving physical presence of patient; in emergency situations when unable to give informed consent; or when diagnostic images or results are being transmitted.

What does level 5 patient mean?

PUBLISHED on JULY 20, 2023. If you visit the emergency room, your bill will typically include a "ER visit level" line item that's based on the complexity of your treatment. A Level 5 emergency room visit, or ER visit level 5, is reserved for the most severe cases.

Will Medicare allow telehealth in 2025?

Through March 31, 2025, you can get telehealth services at any location in the U.S., including your home. Starting April 1, 2025, you must be in an office or medical facility located in a rural area (in the U.S.) for most telehealth services.

How to lower hospital bill?

  1. Get started early. ...
  2. Make sure there aren't any errors on your medical bill. ...
  3. Ask about any financial assistance programs. ...
  4. Research the insured rate for your service. ...
  5. Request or negotiate your payment plan. ...
  6. Check to see if the expense is HRA-, HSA-, or FSA-eligible. ...
  7. See if your employer offers a health stipend.

Is urgent care cheaper than ER?

An urgent care visit is between $100 and $200 – about ten times less than the average ER visit. If you have insurance, it should only be the cost of your co-pay. Most urgent care clinics are open 7 days a week. And, on average, wait times are 30 minutes or less.

Why is my ER bill so high?

KLIFF: So what cost so much was really the facility fee. So this is a charge I hadn't heard about before as a health care reporter. This is a charge that hospitals make for just keeping their doors open, keeping the lights on, the cost of running an emergency room 24/7.