For reporting the prolonged add-on service code 99417, which E/M codes may be reported with it?

For reporting the prolonged add-on service code 99417, which E/M codes may be reported with it?

• A. Only outpatient E/M services and the highest level: 99205, 99215, 99245, 99345, 99350, and 99483
• B. All E/M codes
• C. Inpatient E/M codes only
• D. New patient office visit codes only

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how to report a prolonged service using the add-on code for time, 99417. This add-on is used only in outpatient settings and must be attached to the most resource-intensive outpatient E/M code you bill that day. That’s why you’re limited to pairing it with high-level outpatient office/outpatient codes such as 99205 (new patient, level 5), 99215 (established patient, level 5), 99245 (outpatient consultation, high complexity), and the prolonged home-visit codes 99345 and 99350, as well as the cognitive assessment and management code 99483. In other words, 99417 cannot be added to inpatient E/M codes and isn’t applicable to every outpatient code or to new patient codes alone—the rule is to attach it to the highest-level outpatient encounter you perform on that day to reflect the extra time spent.

The main idea being tested is how to report a prolonged service using the add-on code for time, 99417. This add-on is used only in outpatient settings and must be attached to the most resource-intensive outpatient E/M code you bill that day. That’s why you’re limited to pairing it with high-level outpatient office/outpatient codes such as 99205 (new patient, level 5), 99215 (established patient, level 5), 99245 (outpatient consultation, high complexity), and the prolonged home-visit codes 99345 and 99350, as well as the cognitive assessment and management code 99483. In other words, 99417 cannot be added to inpatient E/M codes and isn’t applicable to every outpatient code or to new patient codes alone—the rule is to attach it to the highest-level outpatient encounter you perform on that day to reflect the extra time spent.