CPT 99080 --> RE: what Annie and all of us hope for

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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/501969

Coding and Documentation: Answers to Your Questions

Posted 04/13/2005

Kent J. Author Information

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Coding Forms Completion

Q. Under what circumstances is it appropriate to submit 99080, "Special reports such as insurance forms, more than the information conveyed in the usual medical communications or standard reporting form?"

A. Code 99080 is intended to be used when a physician fills out something other than a standard reporting form, such as paperwork related to the Family and Medical Leave Act. This code does not apply to the completion of routine forms, such as hospital-discharge summaries. Also note that it would not be appropriate to submit 99080 in conjunction with 99455 or 99456, which are the codes for work-related or medical disability evaluation services. The descriptors for these codes explicitly state that they include "completion of necessary documentation/certificates and reports." Locke, MD

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of EadsSent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 7:47 PMTo: Subject: RE: what Annie and all of us hope for

,

What is the code 99080 for? I’m not finding it in my EMR as a code.

Thanks

A. Eads, M.D.

Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC

phone fax

P.O. Box 7275

Woodland Park, CO 80863

www.PinnacleFamilyMedicine.com

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of PrattSent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 3:40 PMTo: Subject: RE: what Annie and all of us hope for

We finally had to put our feet down and start charging for things that were formally done gratis. We did a mass mailing to all of our patients, with a letter and a copy of our new office and financial policies. So far, no one who has asked for a form to be filled out has batted an eyelash at the $20 fee. Some of the insurance plans are actually even paying for it (billed as 99080)! You can see a list of our “non-covered services” on our website, if you’re interested in seeing what we are now charging for these formerly free items. www.prattmd.info (Look under New Patients tab). We have our first phone visit tonight – we’ll see if the insurance plan will actually pay for it. Patients who need to talk to the doctor about lab results, etc, who have busy work schedules are willing to pay out of pocket to NOT come in to the office (obviously only when medically warranted).

Pratt

Office Manager

Oak Tree Internal Medicine P.C.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 11:25 AMTo: 'Kathy Broman '; ' 'Subject: RE: what Annie and all of us hope for

right it is challenging to ask for money. period. And challenging to askfor money when we have been doin g it for free and really also hard when everyone else does it for free.I have no easy answers except that I say it in a routine sort a way--surekathy I can refill your dexedrine want to see me today or we can do it byemail if you want.( sort of l ike with two year olds, You don't ask themcan I check your ears becasue they will say no. You say which ear shouldi chevk first?)When Kathy whines and cries what??CAn't you just X?well I gotta tell you if my emails make me look tough Actually i am acomplete pushover and much gets done for free but less than before .I say stufflike"medicare makes me dostuff face toface" which si true to bepaid.I say I am getting into some trouble with the prescriptions I really haveto see you (yep and the trouble I am getting into s is money or they arecontrolld subtances and it is my licnese.)or I say I know DR just does it but you know I see you the day youcall and I se e you on time and I spend time with you. To do that I have tosort out, well do I charge for my services like the plumber does or do Iblow you off with a 7 minutes visits like DR ?I try to be charming as well as truthful.IT is going pretty well.One guy had a fit Called me asking whether chantix would be for him (YES!!Diabetic hypertensive has never eve n thought about quitting smoking) butwere there any med interactions ? We talked . CAn you mail me a script doc?well I happen to know he works at the mill wher e the copay is 30.00 tosee me so i say you know what we can do andi explain e -vists ; he got huffy and said well it is not like this is amedical issue!! I can get it form the mill doctor. AUgh Stab me in theheart.BUT the mill doctor faxed me a note saying I told L to come see you aboutchantix. YES.Of course I am still waiting but this guy I know , he will be able to saveface, and I will be charmingly slef -effacing and it will workwe are changing a paradigm but every time, kath, that at least one persondoes this ,I get paid for formerly free work . And lots if not all peopleLOVE IT! 25.oo is what I charge --when they have 20.00 and 30.oo copays andhave you noticed the price of gas? it is way easier to do this.So I would advise that you start.Just start. TRY it in your own way . EAdsdoes it. Ho does it. Oaks i think yes?Just try it out. How can I help?jean Re: what Annie and all of us hope forWhat, ballpark do you charge for an evisit, ie. price comprable to a99212 or 99213? Are you or is anyone else charging when the prescriptionrequires preauthorization, sometimes twice a year. Currently I answerphone calls like the evisit below as well as preauthorize for no chargeand grumble while I do it. I am trying to figure out how to tellpatients that all of these things that I used to do for gratis, I am nowcharging for. How to do that without resentment. Other clinics in thearea would have a nurse taking care of the above with an MD glancing atthe message and grunting out a brief answer that is then relayed to thepatient, but it is free.Kathy Broman MDMason City, IAOn Tuesday, March 04, 2008, at 07:01AM, "" <jantonuccifchn (DOT) <mailto:jantonucci%40fchn.org> org> wrote:> >here is a little email exhcange:>>1.>Good Afternoon ~> >I just went to pick up my prescriptions and was told that my insurance>company needs a pre-authorization for Differin Gel because I am over25.>It was going to cost $324.00!! Is there another product that is easier>to get?> >They also filled the prescription for FloVent (it is also $60.00) but I>told them just to hold it until I had used up the Azmacort.> >Hope you have a nice weekend ~>>>> 2.>well well.DOn't et me started on money and insurance companies Youshould>see the letter I went home to yesterday at ,my house..>> the first best thing we use for acne is benzoyl peroxide which is overthe>counter did you try that yet?>>if not ,the questions will be WHAT will they pay for if you are over25?>ASk them about retin A/> clinda T / ery gel and let me know>DR A>>>3.>>I finally heard back from Anthem in regard to acne medications. Theyneed>prior authorization on all, if patient is over 25. That can be done by>calling 1- or faxing 1-. I am happy to pay your>$25.00 fee for this service. In response to your earlier question about>peroxide, I have tried just about all the over-the-counter formulasover the>years.> >Thank you for your help,>>