What does the term double billing refer to in E/M practice?

What does the term double billing refer to in E/M practice?

• A. Reporting a separate service in the level of E/M service because you are billing for the same service twice.
• B. Billing the same service in two different months.
• C. Billing for a service not performed.
• D. Billing under a different diagnosis.

Answer: (A)

Double billing means charging twice for the same service. In E/M practice, this shows up when you report the same encounter’s service at the E/M level more than once—essentially billing a second E/M service for the same visit just to obtain extra payment. That’s not allowed because a single encounter should be billed once for what was actually provided. If there are truly separate, distinct services performed, they must be documented and billed as separate, but not as duplicates of the same service. This practice is considered unethical and can lead to audits and recoupments.

Double billing means charging twice for the same service. In E/M practice, this shows up when you report the same encounter’s service at the E/M level more than once—essentially billing a second E/M service for the same visit just to obtain extra payment. That’s not allowed because a single encounter should be billed once for what was actually provided. If there are truly separate, distinct services performed, they must be documented and billed as separate, but not as duplicates of the same service. This practice is considered unethical and can lead to audits and recoupments.