Prolonged Services: Are you losing money because you didn't understand how or when to use these codes?  

Lack of understanding and fear of the prolonged service codes is the main cause of improper billing of them.  I am certain that after reading this article, you will have a clear understanding of how and when to use these codes and that you will begin to utilize them when applicable. 

A service becomes eligible as a "prolonged service" when a provider spends 30 minutes or more beyond the AMA's average time with a patient for a given E/M (evaluation & management) service.  Because documentation of time spent and context is so important, you may need to educate your provider of service on these issues as well on how and why you utilize these codes.   

The prolonged service code range is 99354  99357.  These are ALL add-on codes.  This means that you cannot bill these codes without an evaluation and management service that is docu...