CPT code 98009 refers to a phone call between a patient and a doctor where they talk about the patient’s health without meeting face-to-face. CPT 98009 represents “Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, low medical decision making, and more than 10 minutes of medical discussion. When using total time on the date of the encounter for code selection, 30 minutes must be met or exceeded.”.
Procedure Explanation:
This procedure involves a phone consultation where a doctor assesses a new patient’s health by asking questions and possibly discussing their medical history. It requires a simple level of decision-making by the doctor and involves at least 10 minutes of conversation focused on the patient’s health needs. In some cases, if the entire discussion on the appointment day reaches at least 30 minutes, this specific code is used. This is distinct because the visit occurs over the phone, and there is no physical examination.
Common Names:
- Telehealth Audio Visit
- Phone Consultation
- Audio Health Check
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 1.55.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Telephone health assessment
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Audio consultation agreement
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
This type of appointment is often used for new patients who need initial medical advice or a health evaluation but cannot visit the clinic in person. For example, people who live far from medical facilities or those with minor concerns that do not require face-to-face visits might use this service. It is also useful for initial consultations regarding mild symptoms that need preliminary guidance.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- Z00.00: General adult medical examination without abnormal findings, which means a routine health check-up.
- R68.89: Other general symptoms and signs, indicating minor issues that are not specified elsewhere but need initial evaluation.
- Z71.1: Person encountering health services for dietary counseling and surveillance, suggesting an advisory session about nutrition.
Summary
In summary, code 98009 describes a telephone chat between a patient and a doctor to discuss health issues. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 98009 include Z00.00 (General adult exam) and R68.89 (Other general symptoms).
Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. “CPT” and CPT Codes are registered trademarks of the American Medical Association. HCPCS codes are managed by Medicare and are not subject to copyright.