CPT code 98014 refers to a doctor visit conducted over the phone to assess and handle ongoing health issues of a patient they already know. CPT 98014 represents “Synchronous audio-only visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination, moderate 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 code is used when a healthcare provider talks with an established patient—someone they have seen before—over the phone without video. During this call, they review the patient’s health history or perform a basic evaluation, contemplate health decisions, and engage in a conversation that lasts more than 10 minutes. When calculating the total time spent on the call, it must reach or exceed 30 minutes to use this code. This procedure specifically excludes any face-to-face meetings or video calls but covers only audio conversations.
Common Names:
- Phone Consultation
- Telephonic Visit
- Audio-Only Check-In
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 1.75.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Not applicable for operating room schedules
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Not typically required for consent forms
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
This type of phone visit is common for patients who require regular follow-up for chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. For instance, an individual managing diabetes might have periodic check-ins with their doctor to discuss their blood sugar levels and any medication adjustments. It’s also used when patients face difficulty visiting the doctor’s office physically but need ongoing care for their conditions.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- E11.9: This code pertains to Type 2 diabetes without any specific complications, representing patients handling typical diabetes management.
- I10: This code is used for essential hypertension, referring to patients dealing with high blood pressure without specific additional conditions.
- M54.5: Represents a diagnosis of low back pain, applicable to patients who may need phone consultation for ongoing pain management strategies.
Summary
In summary, code 98014 describes a phone-based health discussion for patients known to the provider, focusing on managing ongoing medical issues. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 98014 include E11.9 (Type 2 diabetes management) and I10 (essential hypertension).
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.