Overcome Your Time-based Coding Challenges.

When you work with time-based coding, you probably already know that more than 50% of the face-to-face time in a facility is required to be spent on the counseling or coordination of care with the patient.

But as we all know, nothing in the world of coding is as simple as it seems.

First, time is built into E/M codes. So, providers are taught to base their E/M code selections on the history, exam, and MDM, not on the time spent with the patient. And yet, CPT^® lists a variety of codes that are strictly time-dependent, and even has codes specifically for prolonged services.

Which leaves many of us scratching our heads around the importance of time, especially when we’re tasked with coding time-intensive office and inpatient visits. But around here, we like to help simplify the complexities in healthcare. Which is why we created a new piece of content, “Time-Based Coding: A Healthicity Cheatsheet,” where we simplify the confusion, code by code, and provide guidance on:

• CPT^® Midpoint Rule
• Time for Counseling and/or Coordination of Care
• Services That May be Coded Based on Time or Key Component