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36.3 Benefits and Limitations
The Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 mandates the use of national coding and transaction standards. HIPAA requires that the American Medical Association's (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) system be used to report professional services, including physician services. Correct use of CPT coding requires using the most specific code that matches the services provided based on the code's description. Providers must pay special attention to the standard CPT descriptions for the evaluation and management (E/M) services. The medical record must document the specific elements necessary to satisfy the criteria for the level of services as described in CPT. Reimbursement may be recouped when the medical record documents a different level of service from what is submitted on the claim. The level of service provided and documented must be medically necessary based on the clinical situation and needs of the patient.
To receive reimbursement, providers must document the service, the date rendered, pertinent information about the client's condition supporting the need for service, and the care given in the client's medical record.
Important: If a provider bills for an office visit, documentation must appear in the client's medical record for that date of service (DOS).
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