Level 1 Office Consult (99241)

This is the lowest level of care for an office consult.  Internists used this code for only 1.49% of these encounters in 2003.  To get an idea of the frequency of use of this code among sub-specialists, nephrologists used the 99241 for only 0.52% of consults performed in the office during that same year (which added up to only 833 visits in the entire country).  Usually the presenting problems are self-limited or minor.  The reimbursement for this level of care is approximately $49.00. 

Documentation requires THREE out of THREE of the following :

1)  Problem Focused History
2)  Problem Focused Exam
3)  Straightforward Medical Decision-Making

Or 15 minutes spent face-to-face with the patient if coding based on time.  The appropriate documentation must be included.

Clinical Example

This topic is covered in more detail in of one of our web-based E/M coding courses.
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		Related Topics
		Level 2 Office Consults Level 3 Office Consults Level 4 Office Consults Level 5 Office Consults	Level 1 Hospital Consults Level 2 Hospital Consults Level 3 Hospital Consults Level 4 Hospital Consults Level 5 Hospital Consults
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