NOV 02, 2020
Billing for Smoking Cessation Counseling
Question: I was made aware there are two CPT codes for smoking cessation counseling. Are they appropriate for ophthalmologists to use?
Answer: Prior to Jan. 2021, reviewing smoking and the impact it has on eyes is part of your Evaluation and Management (E/M) or Eye visit code whether in person or part of telemedicine. After January 2021, the counseling time can be included when coding on time vs. medical decision making.
The two codes are:
99406 Smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling visit; intermediate, greater than three minutes up to 10 minutes
99407 intensive, greater than 10 minutes
Note: These codes are typically billed by internal medicine and family practice who assume full care for smoking cessation as additional documentation is required. To bill 99406 specific methods for behavioral intervention must be addressed and documented to avoid relapse. This may also include prescribing pharmaceuticals or referrals to support groups. For 99407, the physician may include motivational interviewing techniques to address the positives and negatives for tobacco cessation. Additional therapies may be prescribed including nicotine replacement, pharmacologic adjuncts, support groups or a combination.
Learn more about exam billing in Learn to Code the Essentials