This question was posed on the MGMA Community, March 2021.
Question: Posed from Community Member in Clearwater FL.
Would like to know how your offices are notating the total time on the date of patient visit for 99202-99215 OVs? Currently there is no statement from CMS re how the time must be documented other than total time is to be noted. We anticipate denials due to a lack of notation of time–is anyone seeing denials associated with this?
Reply #1: Community Member from Anchorage AK
Our provider’s note has the following statement at the end of each note:
I spent a total of 25 minutes on this appointment, including review of results, histories, x-rays, examination, consultation with the patient, and coordination of care.For office injections (which cannot be included in the total above if the patient came in for an office visit and the decision was made to also do an injection) we have this statement at the end of the procedure note:
I spent a total of 10 minutes prepping and performing the aspiration today, exclusive of and separate from the time spent on today’s appointment.
Reply #2: Community Member from New Jersey
We recommend to our clients that total minutes can be given, but giving the actual start & stop time is better. ” Pt. was seen for… from 9:01 – 9:22 for a total of 21 minutes.” Too many providers have total minutes that exceed 10-12-15 hours which is easy for auditors to see. That will keep providers out of trouble.