help with 99354/99355

If a patient is seen in the office for hydration, pt in office for 6hours. Can the doctor use 99354/99355 for prolonged visit. If I read it right, it would be
99354x1 99355x8
99354-9:20-10:20 (first hour)
99355x8 for the following (each add 30 min)
10:21-10:51
10:52-11:22
11:23-11:53
11:54-12:24
12:25-12:55
12:56-1:26
1:27-1:57
1:58-2:28
2:29-2:59
This just seems like a lot of "add on" charges, am I reading the book wrong or is this correct Please can anyone help, Thank you

re: help with 99354/99355

Why are you using these codes? Hydration is 96360 and 96361

re: help with 99354/99355

We did you those codes and a E/M code. These are "add on" codes for the prolonged visit since the pt was in the office for 6hrs

re: help with 99354/99355

The hydration codes cover the time the patient was receiving hydration.

re: help with 99354/99355

Take a look at the CPT® description for prolonged services. It is not time the patient is in the office. It is face to face time with the physician/NP/PA.

It is not correct to use the codes for time spent receiving hydration.

Search the Codapedia article data base for information on prolonged services.

MRI Billing

I need your help with some questions about radiology billing.  I am working with a doctor that sends his patients out to have xrays and MRIs in an outside facility.  The doctor wants some of his xrays and MRIs re-read (second opinion).  Can the facility/radiologist that is doing the re-read be reimbursed?  If so, how would we bill for the re-read after we've already billed for the MRI?
 
Also, we have a radiologist that we pay a flat fee of $50 per MRI that he reads for us.  Am I able to bill for each MRI result that he reads over and above the MRI CPT® code?
 
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