CodingQuestion 14 of 100
When selecting an office E/M visit level by time under current guidelines, the coder should count:
a.Only the minutes spent face-to-face performing the exam
b.Only the time the patient spent in the waiting room
c.The total qualifying provider time spent on the date of the encounter, including certain non-face-to-face work
d.The average time all patients spend in the practice that day
Explanation
Current office and outpatient E/M guidelines permit level selection based on the provider's total time on the date of the encounter, which can include reviewing records, ordering tests, documenting, and coordinating care, not just face-to-face minutes. The provider must document the total time. Alternatively, the level may be chosen by medical decision making.
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