Not every patient has access to FaceTime or Zoom. For audio-only telephone visits, you cannot bill standard E/M codes (like 99213). Instead, you must use the telephone E/M codes 99441, 99442, or 99443.
Time-Based Increments
These codes are strictly determined by the amount of medical discussion time spent on the phone:
- 99441: 5 to 10 minutes
- 99442: 11 to 20 minutes
- 99443: 21 to 30 minutes
The 7-Day / 24-Hour Rule
You cannot bill a telephone E/M if the call originates from a related E/M service provided within the previous 7 days, or if the call leads to an E/M service or admission within the next 24 hours (or soonest available appointment). In those cases, the call bundles into the visit.
NCCI Edits
These codes are heavily bundled. Always run an NCCI check to ensure the telephone call isn't considered part of a global surgical period or related E/M service.