Every patient interaction tells a storyone that needs to be captured with precision and clarity. Risk-based coding is the key to ensuring that each detail is accurately documented, reflecting the true scope of care provided. This approach not only supports compliance but also ensures that the complexity of care is recognized and properly reimbursed.
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Risk Based Coding Physician Training - The Fox Group.pdf
2. This presentation about documentation & coding is
designed to take a complex issue and make it
Logical
Meaningful
useful
3. What is Risk-Based E&M Coding?
The three elements of E&M Coding Include:
History
Physical Examination
Medical Decision-Making
The MDM is usually the ultimate determining
factor for level of service.
The risk to the patient is a major component of MDM
4. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
Risk
Minimal
Low
Moderate
High
Data
Minimal
Limited
Moderate
Extensive
Diagnoses/Medical Management Options
Minimal
Limited
Multiple
Extensive
6. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
RISK DATA DX/MGT
COMPLEXITY
MDM
Minimal 1 (minimal) 1 (minimal) Straight-
forward
Low 2 (limited) 2 (limited) Low
Moderate 3 (mod) 3 (multiple) Moderate
High 4 (extensive) 4 (extensive) High
7. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
Risk Patients at High Risk include:
One or more chronic illnesses with severe exacerbations, progression, or side
effects of treatment
Acute or chronic illnesses or injury that pose a threat to life or bodily function,
e.g. multiple trauma, acute MI, pulmonary embolus, severe respiratory distress
And needs diagnostic testing or procedural intervention
Risk Patients at Moderate Risk include:
One or more chronic illnesses with mild exacerbations, progression, or side
effects of treatment
Two or more stable chronic illnesses
Undiagnosed new problem with uncertain prognosis, e.g. lump in breast
Acute illness with systemic symptoms, e.g., pyelonephritis, pneumonitis, colitis
And needs diagnostic testing or procedural intervention
8. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
Risk Patients at Low Risk include:
Two or more self-limited or minor problems
One stable chronic illness, e.g. well controlled hypertension or non-
insulin dependent diabetes, cataract, BPH
Acute uncomplicated illness or injury, e.g. cystitis, allergic rhinitis, simple
sprain
And needs diagnostic testing or treatment, e.g., medications, rehab
therapy
Risk Patients with Minimal Risk include:
One self-limited or minor problems, e.g. cold, insect bite, tinea corporis
And needs diagnostic testing, e.g., laboratory tests requiring
venipuncture or treatment, e.g., rest, gargle
10. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
RISK DATA DX/MGT
COMPLEXITY
MDM
Minimal 1 (minimal) 1 (minimal) Straight-
forward
Low 2 (limited) 2 (limited) Low
Moderate 3 (mod) 3 (multiple) Moderate
High 4 (extensive) 4 (extensive) High
11. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
Data includes review of Clinical Information:
Clinical lab(s) (all labs = 1 pt.);
X-ray(s)(all imaging studies = 1 pt);
Decision to obtain old records (=1 pt);
Direct visualization/interpretation of study (= 1pt);
Other Medical diagnostic test(s)(=1pt);
Discussion of unexpected results with
performing/interpreting physician (=1 pt).
2 points for review and summary of old record from
source other than patient
12. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
Data
Minimal 1 Data Element (1 point of Data)
Limited..2 Data Elements (2 points of Data
Moderate...3 Data Elements (3 points of Data
Extensive 4 or more Data Elements (at least
4 points of Data
14. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
RISK DATA DX/MGT COMPLEXITY
MDM
Minimal 1 (minimal) 1 (minimal) Straight-
forward
Low 2 (limited) 2 (limited) Low
Moderate 3 (mod) 3 (multiple) Moderate
High 4 (extensive) 4 (extensive) High
15. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
Diagnoses/Medical Management Options
Minimal one self-limited problem (existing or new)
Limited more than presenting problem, well controlled,
or a new problem not controlled or worsening
Multiple - a new problem, with no additional work-up
planned or multiple diagnoses problems as described
above
Extensive a new problem with additional work-up
planned, or multiple diagnoses/problems as described
above
17. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
RISK DATA DX/MGT
COMPLEXITY
MDM
Minimal 1 (minimal) 1 (minimal) Straight-
forward
Low 2 (limited) 2 (limited) Low
Moderate 3 (mod) 3 (multiple) Moderate
High 4 (extensive) 4 (extensive) High
18. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
The MDM is usually the ultimate determining factor for
level of service.
To qualify for a given type of decision making, two of the
three elements in the table must be either met or
exceeded.
The level of the lower of the two highest components
determines the level of MDM.
20. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
RISK DATA DX/MGT
COMPLEXITY
MDM
Minimal 1 (minimal) 1 (minimal) Straight-
forward
Low 2 (limited) 2 (limited) Low
Moderate 3 (mod) 3 (multiple) Moderate
High 4 (extensive) 4 (extensive) High
21. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
RISK DATA DX/MGT
COMPLEXITY
MDM
Minimal 1 (minimal) 1 (minimal) Straight-
forward
Low 2 (limited) 2 (limited) Low
Moderate 3 (mod) 3 (multiple) Moderate
High 4
(extensive) 4(extensive) High
22. Complexity of Medical
Decision-Making
RISK DATA DX/MGT
COMPLEXITY
MDM
Minimal 1 (minimal) 1 (minimal)
Straight-
forward
(99201-99202)
Low 2 (limited) 2 (limited) Low
(99203)
Moderate 3 (mod) 3 (multiple) Moderate
(99204)
High 4 (extensive) 4 (extensive) High
(99205)
23. Evaluation and Management Services
History Chief complaint (CC); history of present illness HPI;
systems review (ROS); past, family, and social history (PFSH) .
Exam Physical examination of the patient.
Medical Decision Making Diagnosis or management
options; amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed;
risk of complications and/or morbidity or mortality.
24. History
Problem Focused CC, and brief HPI or condition.
Expanded Problem Focused CC, brief HPI, and a
problem-pertinent ROS.
Detailed CC, expanded HPI, a ROS, and pertinent
PFSH.
Comprehensive CC, extended HPI, extended ROS,
and complete PFSH.
25. Chief Complaint (CC)
Is a concise statement. . .
usually in the patients own words or the patients
primary caregivers (which could be a parent or the legal
guardian to the patient) own words that . . .
describes the symptoms, problems, conditions,
diagnoses or other factors that explain the reason for
the visit.
26. Chief Complaint (CC)
Sign, Symptom or Condition pain, shortness of breath,
fever.
Management or Follow-up Visit management of
diabetes & hypertension, Follow-up visit for dizziness
Request for Service - Annual physical examination with
complaints of weakness and malaise
27. History of Present Illnes
Chronological history surrounding the present
problem must be described using:
Location
Quality
Severity
Duration
Timing
Context
Modifying Factor
Associated Signs & Symptoms
28. Review of Systems (ROS) levels
Problem Pertinent (1 system)- directly related to the
patients problem.
Extended (2-9 systems)- directly related to the patients
problem identified in the HPI and limited number of
additional systems.
Comprehensive (10 or more systems)- directly related to
the patients problem in the HPI plus all additional body
systems.
29. Review of Systems (ROS)
A ROS obtained during an earlier encounter
does not need to be re-recorded if there is
evidence that the physician reviewed and
updated the previous information.
The same documentation guidelines can be
applied when re-recording a previously
documented patients Past Family Social
History (PFSH).
30. Review of Systems (ROS)
Example of confirming ROS statement by
the physician:
The patient indicates that he has not experienced
any of the symptoms on the ROS form.
The physician documents in the patients chart
note All systems were reviewed and were
negative.
The physicians documentation of the patients
ROS would now qualify as Comprehensive.
31. Past Medical, Family and
Social History
Patients Past Medical History
Prior illness, surgeries, medications (current or past)
Family History
Hereditary diseases
Death of parents, siblings
Social History
Smoking , alcohol, drug, caffeine consumption
Socio-economic concerns
Occupational History
35. Body Systems/Areas
Eyes Psych
ENMT Hem/Lymph/Imm
Respiratory Head, including Face
Cardiovascular Neck
GI Chest/breasts/axilla
GU Abdomen
Musco Genitalia/groin
Skin Back
Neuro Each Extremity
36. Physical Examination (PE)
System/Body Area Elements of Examination
Constitutional
*Any 3 of 7 VS *General appearance of patient (Nourishment, habits,
deformities, grooming, etc.)
Eyes *Conjunctiva & Eyelids *Pupils & Irises *Optic Disc
ENMT
*External Ears & Nose *EAC & TM *Hearing *OP *Lips Teeth & Gums *Nasal
Mucosa, Septum , Turbinates
Neck *Neck * Thyroid *Oropharynx
Respiratory
*Effort *Auscultation *Percussion *Palpation *Inspection of Chest with
notation of symmetry and expansion
Cardiovascular
*Palpitations *Ausculation *Exam of peripheral vascular system by observation
:Carotids , Abdominal aorta, FA, PP, Edema, Varicose
37. System/Body Area Elements of Examination
Chest *Inspection of breasts *Palpation of breasts & Axilla
Gastrointestinal *Masses, Tenderness * Examination of Liver & Spleen *Hernia *Anus , rectum
Genitourinary *Male-Scrotal contents, Penis, PG *Female-Ext Genit,CX,Uterus
Lymph *Palpation of Lymph Nodes in 2 or > areas-Neck , Axilla , Groin , Other
Integumentary *Inspection & Palpation of Skin & Subcutaneous Tissues
Neurology *Cranial Nerves *DTRs *Sensation
Psychiatry *Orientation to Time/Person/Place *Memory *Mood & Affect
Musculoskeletal
*Gait & Station *Assessment of muscle strength & tone with notation of
atrophy and abnormal movements *Inspection/Palpation of digits & nails
Physical Examination (PE)
38. Physical Examination (PE)
Problem Focused Exam Limited exam of affected body area or
organ system - 1 to 5 elements (out of 16)
Expanded Problem Focused Exam Limited exam of affected
body area or organ system - at least 6 elements (out of 16)
Detailed Exam- Extended examination of affected body area or
organ system - at least 12 elements (out of 16)
Comprehensive - Comprehensive Examination - at least 2
elements from 9 areas/systems
39. Requirements for 99204/205
4 HPI (Location, Quality, Severity, Duration, etc.)
10 Systems Reviewed
2 PFSH Documented
2 of 9 PE 2 elements of 9 systems Documented
4 MDM (High Risk, 4 Data, 4 Options) Evident
40. ICD 9-CM Coding
The CPT code or service is the driving force behind
reimbursement, however, the ICD-9 CM Diagnosis Code must
support the CPT code in order to be reimbursed.
The system of diagnosis codes used is the International
Classification of Disease (9th) revision, Clinical Modification.
The primary diagnosis must support or justify the physicians
service.
For instance, the primary diagnosis by the consultant would be the reason for
the physician visit
This diagnosis is not necessarily the admitting diagnosis.
41. ICD 9-CM Coding
According to the ICD-9 Official Coding Guidelines a diagnosis can
only be assigned when it is explicitly stated in the patients medical
record.
Diagnoses codes must be documented and supported in the patients
progress note for that date of service.
When the physician provides more than one diagnosis code, the physician is
responsible for determining the primary diagnosis for the patients visit(s)
Diagnosis codes must be sequenced (1, 2, 3 and 4) as an important part of the
billing process
It is unacceptable to carry over a diagnosis code from one encounter to
another for billing purposes without restating the diagnosis in the current
patient visit.
42. What about Consultations?
Billing for Consultations vs. New Patient
Visits
CMS is no longer accepting claims for
consultations using CPT Code ranges
99241-99245 and 99251-99255 for
Other payors may still accept
consultation codes- check with the
payor.
43. What about Consultations?
Inpatient Services to Medicare Patients
Bill services to a New Patient* using CPT Codes 99221-99223 once per
admission. Add modifier AI if you are the principal physician of record.
Other services may be reported using Subsequent Hospital Care codes
(99231-99233), including services to
complete the initial visit,
monitor progress,
revise recommendations, or
address a new problem.
* A New Patient is a patient neither you or any member of your Group
(same tax ID# used for billing) have seen in the past three years.
44. What about Consultations?
Outpatient Services to Medicare Patients
Bill services to a New Patient* using CPT Codes 99201-99205 for the
first visit.
Other services may be reported using Established Patient codes (99211-
99215).
* A New Patient is a patient neither you or any member of your Group
(same tax ID# used for billing) have seen in the past three years.
45. General Principles of Medical Records
Documentation
Complete and Legible
Each encounter should include:
Reason/Chief Complaint
Relevant History
PE findings
Diagnostic Test results
Assessment/Diagnosis
Plan for care
Date of Service
Legible identity of the provider
Progress, response to and changes in treatment and revision of
diagnosis should be documented
CPT & ICD 9 CM codes reported or the billing statement should be
supported by documentation in the medical record