CMS posts transmittal on decision to eliminate use of consult codes (CPT® codes 99241 – 99245 and 99251-99255)
December 15, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a transmittal to inform contractors and providers on how to report and process claims for consultation services provided to Medicare beneficiaries for services provide on and after January 1, 2010.
Among other items, the transmittal states that Modifier “-AI,” defined as “Principal Physician of Record,” shall be used by the admitting or attending physician who oversees the patient’s care, as distinct from other physicians who may be furnishing specialty care.
The transmittal is available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R1875CP.pdf
Additional information from CMS