CPT® 99446-99449

Has anyone filed 99446-99449? I can't find a fee schedule for these and my docs want to file for phone consults with other doctors when they spend extensive time on the phone consulting for pt care. Or is there another code to use?

re: CPT® 99446-99449

I read about this codes in supercoder newsletter. It says "When RVU is zero, you won't collect."

Here is part of the article:

"The new interprofessional telephone/internet consultation codes went into effect on Jan. 1, so you can technically start billing them if your provider meets the criteria f or them and documents the time spent, since 99446-99449 are time-based codes. However, chances are strong that you won’t collect any reimbursement for these codes.

CMS did not assign any relative value units (RVUs) to this code set f or 2014, and most Medicaid providers don’t reimburse f or these services either. Some private payers might, but even they are quite restrictive in paying these codes.

For example, CareFirst, a Blue Cross Blue Shield provider, states in its Policies and Procedures, “CareFirst does not provide benefits for non-face-to-face services via telephone or internet; or effective 1/1/2014, interprofessional telephone/internet consultations (99446-99449). All of these services are considered ‘integral to/include in’ all other services, whether reported alone or in addition to other services or procedures.” Therefore, check with your insurer before billing these codes, and if the representatives tell you that these services are payable, get the policies in writing."

Hope that helps

re: CPT® 99446-99449

Yes Thank You.

I think I will review private payer fee schedules as well. I would be very surprised to see these get paid anytime soon.

I would like to have them in our system just to capture the amount of time providers are doing this to account for some of thier work day.

I think we can use these for internal tracking only right now.

Thanks again!
Louise