Level 1 Office Consult (99241)

This is the lowest level of care for an office consult.  Internists used this code for only 1.49% of these encounters in 2003.  To get an idea of the frequency of use of this code among sub-specialists, nephrologists used the 99241 for only 0.52% of consults performed in the office during that same year (which added up to only 833 visits in the entire country).  Usually the presenting problems are self-limited or minor.  The reimbursement for this level of care is approximately $49.00. 

Documentation requires THREE out of THREE of the following :

1)  Problem Focused History
2)  Problem Focused Exam
3)  Straightforward Medical Decision-Making

Or 15 minutes spent face-to-face with the patient if coding based on time.  The appropriate documentation must be included.

Clinical Example

For step-by-step examples of all levels of care, consider signing up for the web-based tutorial below.

Rational Physician Coding for E/M Consult Services

Did you know that outpatient consults pay 17% more than inpatient consults? Or that you should use the outpatient consult codes for some consult services performed in the hospital? Learn the tricks of the trade when it comes to performing and documenting consults in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

Need web-based E/M coding education for multiple providers? Consider an E/M compliance web portal by clicking HERE.
Need Dr. Jensen to show up in person? For onsite physician-to-physician E/M coding education? Click HERE.
To purchase our entire library of E/M coding courses on CD-ROM for up to 10 users, click HERE