Which statement best describes data element counting when the professional component is separately reported?

Which statement best describes data element counting when the professional component is separately reported?

• A. A data element with professional component separately reported is not counted toward MDM.
• B. A data element ordered during an encounter is counted.
• C. A data element reviewed during the encounter is counted.
• D. A data element analyzed during the encounter is counted.

Answer: (A)

When determining data element counts for medical decision making, you only count data that the current encounter uses to support the physician’s decision and that aren’t already captured by a separately billed component. If a data element is tied to the professional component and that component is reported separately, that element isn’t counted toward MDM. The separate professional report already accounts for the data involved, so counting it again would double-count. That’s why the statement that a data element with a separately reported professional component is not counted toward MDM is the best choice.

When determining data element counts for medical decision making, you only count data that the current encounter uses to support the physician’s decision and that aren’t already captured by a separately billed component. If a data element is tied to the professional component and that component is reported separately, that element isn’t counted toward MDM. The separate professional report already accounts for the data involved, so counting it again would double-count. That’s why the statement that a data element with a separately reported professional component is not counted toward MDM is the best choice.