Emergency Department Coding & Reimbursement Alert

Tip: Read the fine print before assigning code 99354.

A frequent question among emergency department coders is how to capture ED visits that extended longer than the average visit. Although you may be tempted to report the prolonged service add-on codes, such as 99354 (Prolonged physician service in the office or other outpatient setting requiring direct [face-to-face] patient contact beyond the usual service; first hour [List separately in addition to code for office or other outpatient Evaluation and Management service]), those codes are not available for use with ED E/M codes. Follow our advice below to recoup all appropriate reimbursement for [...]

- Published on 2011-08-23