Practice Quiz

Medical Coding

Category - Evaluation and Management

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An emergency room physician has to talk emergency medical systems (EMS) personnel through advanced life support, including telemetry of cardiac rhythm, endotracheal intubation and electrical conversion of arrhythmia. This is done by two-way voice communication with EMS outside of the hospital. What code should be used for this service?
  1. 99281
  2. 99284
  3. 99285
  4. 99288
Explanation
Answer: D - 99288 is the correct code for physician or other qualified healthcare professional direction of EMS emergency care or advanced life support.
Code 99281 is incorrect because this code is for an emergency department visit involving a problem-focused history and examination that requires straightforward medical decision making. Code 99284 is incorrect because this code is for an emergency department visit involving a detailed history and examination with moderate-complexity medical decision making. Code 99285 is incorrect because this code is for an emergency visit that requires a comprehensive history and examination with high-complexity medical decision making. All of these codes are for visits within the emergency department, not one that is being completed over two-way voice communication with the patient outside of the hospital.
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