CPT Code 99396 – A Comprehensive Guide for Primary Care Providers.pdf

CPT code 99396 refers to a preventive medicine evaluation and management (E/M) service for patients aged 65 years or older. It involves a comprehensive annual wellness visit (AWV), including personalized preventive medicine planning.

1. CPT Code 99396 – A Comprehensive Guide for Primary Care
Providers

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CPT Code 99396 – A Comprehensive Guide for Primary Care Providers
Basics of CPT Code 99396
CPT code 99396 refers to a preventive medicine evaluation and management (E/M) service for patients aged 65 years or
older. It involves a comprehensive annual wellness visit (AWV), including personalized preventive medicine planning.
This code emphasizes the importance of preventive care and allows primary care providers to assess the overall health
status of their elderly patients. Understanding this code and its associated guidelines is crucial for accurate medical
billing and reimbursement. So, let’s dive into the details of CPT code 99396 and explore its importance in primary care
practices.

Components of CPT Code 99396:
CPT Code 99396 comprises various components that primary care providers need to consider when performing the
service. Let’s break down these components:

•Medical history: This component involves obtaining a detailed medical history, including past illnesses, surgeries,
family history, and medications. Understanding the patient’s medical background helps in identifying potential risk
factors and designing appropriate preventive care strategies.
•Physical examination: A comprehensive physical examination is crucial to assess the patient’s current health status. It
includes evaluating vital signs, body systems, and overall physical well-being.

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CPT Code 99396 – A Comprehensive Guide for Primary Care Providers
•Counseling: CPT Code 99396 also includes counseling services, where the primary care provider addresses various
health-related concerns, provides guidance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and educates patients on disease
prevention.
•Screening: As part of the comprehensive wellness visit, screenings for various diseases and conditions are performed.
This may include blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, cancer screenings, and immunization assessments.
These screenings are vital for early detection and timely intervention.
•Risk assessment: Evaluating the patient’s risk factors for different diseases is an integral part of CPT Code 99396. This
involves assessing lifestyle choices, family history, and environmental factors that may contribute to the development
of certain conditions. Identifying these risks allows primary care providers to tailor preventive measures accordingly.

Billing Guidelines for CPT Code 99396
To ensure accurate billing and reimbursement for CPT Code 99396, primary care providers should follow these billing
guidelines:

•Medical necessity: The visit must be justified by the patient’s age and the purpose of the visit. The primary aim is to
provide preventive care and wellness planning.
•Time: The visit must have a minimum duration of 30 minutes. Documenting the time spent during the encounter is
crucial for proper billing.

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CPT Code 99396 – A Comprehensive Guide for Primary Care Providers
•Modifier use: If additional services are provided during the wellness visit that are separately billable, appropriate
modifiers should be used to indicate the separate services.
•Consent and advance beneficiary notice (ABN): Inform the patient about any potential non-covered services and
obtain their consent or ABN if applicable.

Billing Tips for CPT Code 99396
To avoid common billing errors and ensure timely reimbursement, consider the following tips:

•Thorough documentation: Accurate and detailed documentation is essential for proper billing. Ensure that all
components of CPT Code 99396 are clearly documented, including medical history, physical examination findings,
counseling services provided, and screenings performed.
•Time documentation: Document the exact time spent on the visit to meet the minimum duration requirement of 30
minutes. Make sure the time is clearly recorded in the patient’s medical record.
•Separate services: If the patient presents with specific acute or chronic conditions that require additional evaluation
or treatment during the wellness visit, bill and document them separately.
•Coding accuracy: Assign the appropriate CPT codes based on the services rendered during the visit. Double-check the
codes to ensure accuracy and avoid coding errors that can lead to claim denials or underpayment.
•Modifier Usage: If any services provided during the wellness visit require a separate modifier, ensure that the
modifiers are correctly applied to indicate the distinct services performed.

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CPT Code 99396 – A Comprehensive Guide for Primary Care Providers
•Upcoding or downcoding: It is important to accurately represent the level of service provided during the wellness
visit. Avoid upcoding (billing for a higher level of service than actually performed) or downcoding (billing for a lower
level of service than actually performed) to maintain compliance and prevent potential audits.
CPT Code 99396 is a crucial code for primary care providers, emphasizing the importance of preventive care for patients
aged 65 years or older. By understanding the components, following billing guidelines, avoiding common errors, and
addressing denial reasons, primary care providers can ensure accurate medical billing and maximize reimbursement.

At Legion Healthcare Solutions, we specialize in medical billing services and can assist primary care providers in
streamlining their billing operations, minimizing errors, and optimizing revenue. By partnering with our experienced
team, you can focus on delivering high-quality patient care while leaving the complexities of medical billing to us.
Contact us today at 727-475-1834 or email us at [email protected] to learn more about our services
and how we can support your practice’s success.

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Phone Number

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E-mail Address

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