Prolonged office or other outpatient evaluation and management service(s), each additional 15 minutes

Prolonged Evaluation and Management (E/M) services are essential in critical care situations, requiring precise coding to capture the extended nature of patient encounters. CPT code 99418 designates prolonged service in the critical care setting, requiring direct patient contact beyond the usual service time. This code is applied when healthcare providers engage in prolonged face-to-face time with critically ill or injured patients in the critical care setting, extending beyond the typical duration of E/M services.

CPT code:

99418

Category:

Category I

Section:

Explore Evaluation and Management CPT Codes

Specialty:

Prolonged Services

Type:

Prolonged Service With or Without Direct Patient Contact on the Date of an Evaluation and Management Service

In the realm of critical care services, 99418 holds significance, representing prolonged service in the critical care setting. Healthcare providers utilize this code when engaging in prolonged face-to-face time with critically ill or injured patients, extending beyond the usual duration of E/M services. Its application ensures accurate documentation of efforts in providing extended care during critical care encounters.

Under what category does Prolonged office or other outpatient evaluation and management service(s), each additional 15 minutes fall?

Category I

What is the billing unit for Prolonged office or other outpatient evaluation and management service(s), each additional 15 minutes?

Per Encounter

Modifiers

Clinical use

Alcohol and/or substance (other than tobacco) abuse structured assessment and intervention services; each additional 15 minutes.

Documentation

Clearly document each additional 15-minute increment of prolonged office or outpatient evaluation and management service, including the start and end times, and provide a detailed description of the activities or discussions justifying the additional time.