What does medical service code 99204 stand for?

Answer 1

Code 99204 requires meeting all three key components of the code (comprehensive history, comprehensive exam and medical decision making of moderate complexity), as well as medical necessity for a service of that intensity. CPT describes these services as typically involving problems of moderate to high severity and requiring 45 minutes of face-to-face time with the patient or family. Moderate severity indicates a moderate risk of morbidity without treatment, a moderate risk of mortality without treatment, an uncertain prognosis or increased probability of prolonged functional impairment. For otherwise healthy patients, many of the conditions treated might not meet this level of complexity. An internal chart audit may help determine the accuracy of the clinic's current coding practices and whether coding education is warranted. However, if a patient's condition is severe enough that the physician feels it is medically necessary to provide a