CMS Revises Claims Processing Manual to Eliminate Consultation Codes
Effective January 1, 2010, CPT Consultation Codes ranges 99241-99245 and 99251-99255 will no longer be recognized for Medicare Part B Payment. For services furnished after January 1, 2010, physicians and non-physician practitioners should code patient evaluation and management visits with E/M codes that represent where the visit occurs and identifies the complexity. CMS has published MLN Matters Article No. MM6740 for guidance on the subject. It deals with the following:
- Section of level of evaluation and management services
- Payment for hospital observation services
- Payment for initial hospital care services
- Consultation services
- Emergency department visits
- Nursing facility services
- Prolonged services with direct fact to fact patient contact
