What is the difference between 99213 and 99214 billing?

Asked by: Marina Lueilwitz  |  Last update: August 10, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (9 votes)

An expanded problem-focused history, consistent with a 99213, requires one to three HPI elements while a detailed history consistent with a 99214 requires four or more HPI elements.

When to code 99214 vs 99213?

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 are the rules for CPT code 99213?

Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and low level of medical decision making. When using time for code selection, 20-29 minutes of total time is spent on the date of the encounter.

What is the billing rule for 99214?

Here are the key guidelines for accurate usage of billing code 99214:
  • Medical Necessity. ...
  • Present Illness Documentation. ...
  • Chief Complaint. ...
  • Review Symptoms. ...
  • Detailed Physical Exam. ...
  • Past, Family and Social History. ...
  • In-depth History. ...
  • Medical Decision Making.

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.

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30 related questions found

How many minutes is 99214?

CPT® code 99214: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes | American Medical Association.

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.

What is considered a level 4 office visit?

That means that for an outpatient E/M office visit to be coded as a level 4 (for new or established patients), you need at least two of the three elements to reach the “moderate” category — moderate number and complexity of problems addressed; moderate amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed and analyzed; or ...

Can you bill 99214 twice in one day?

Documentation must be submitted with the claim to medically justify two services on the same day. The frequency restriction for CPT codes 99211 thru 99214 may be exceeded with medical justification.

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 is a modifier 55?

Description. Postoperative management only. Guidelines and Instructions. Use this modifier to indicate that payment for the postoperative, post-discharge care is split between two or more physicians where the physicians agree on the transfer of postoperative care.

What modifier should be used with 99213?

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.

What are the rules for 99213?

Understanding the Documentation Requirements for the 99213 Code
  • Medical Necessity: Healthcare providers need to explain why the visit was needed. ...
  • Time-based Documentation: Providers need to spend 20-29 minutes with the patient, which is surely required to help them with 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 qualifies for a 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 ...

What are the three questions a coder must ask themselves when selecting an E&M code?

Many E/M codes, such as those for inpatient care and home visits, include a combination of patient history, examination, and medical decision making (MDM). These factors — history, exam, and MDM (HEM) — are known as the three key components of E/M level selection.

What is the difference between an appointment and an office visit?

An appointment is something you do to make something in a certain timespan now or in the future to have a possible contact with the clinic or anyone in the Clinic. A Visit is a result of an appointment and can be anything that that client has to do in the clinic for any sort of car.

How to code 99213 vs 99214?

99213 vs. 99214: Three tips for spotting the difference
  1. 99213 key components. Expanded problem focused. ...
  2. 99214 key components. Detailed. ...
  3. Remember 4, 2, 1 for a detailed history. Four elements of the history of present illness (HPI), ...
  4. Pick a method for documenting a detailed exam. ...
  5. Think in threes for moderate decision making.

What is modifier 59 in medical billing?

The CPT Manual defines modifier 59 as: “Distinct Procedural Service: Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a. procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-E/M (Evaluation/Management) services.

What is the 7 day rule for telehealth?

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.

How much does insurance pay for a 99214?

The current reimbursements for code 99214 at two of the most popular programs are: Medicare: $126.07. Medicaid: $68.97.

When to use modifier 25?

The use of modifier 25 “indicates that documentation is available in the patient's record to support the reported E/M service as significant and separately identifiable,” the council report (PDF) adds.

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.