Reader Question:Here's How To Code Built-In Service With Separate Evaluation & Management
Warning: Brief history and review probably won't qualify for E/M code when your NP administers a vaccine.
Question: A nurse practitioner (NP) sees a 65-year-old established patient for a pneumonia vaccination. Before administering the vaccine, she records a brief history of the patient, checks the patient's vital signs, and rules out any contraindications for the vaccine. Should we consider the E/M part of the service or is it OK to report an E/M in addition to the vaccination codes?
Answer: You probably shouldn't report a separate E/M. From your description of the NP's actions, she did not do much...
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