E/M Weekly Tip: Combined Billing

Physicians in the same group practice, but who are in different specialties, may bill and be paid without regard to their membership in the same group. Physicians in the same group practice who are in the same specialty must bill and be paid as though they were a single physician.

If more than one E/M (face-to-face) service is provided on the same day to the same patient by the same physician or more than one physician in the same specialty in the same group, only one E/M service may be reported unless the E/M services are for unrelated problems. Instead of billing separately, the physicians should select a level of service representative of the combined visits and submit the appropriate code for that level.

For more information:

• JJ Part B — Evaluation & Management (E/M) Coding Reminder: Group Practices
• JM Part B — Evaluation & Management (E/M) Coding Reminder: Group Practices
• Railroad Medicare— Evaluation & Management (E/M) Coding Reminder: Group Practices