What is the required amount of time for billing under code 99204?

For billing under code 99204, the required amount of time for a face-to-face visit with the patient is generally around 25 minutes. This code is utilized for new patients requiring a moderate level of complexity in evaluation and management.

The complexity of the visit is determined by the problem addressed, medical decision-making involved, and the level of data reviewed. Time serves as a useful measure to ascertain the level of service as well, especially in outpatient settings.

While codes for office visits have specific timeframes, this particular code aligns with an expected time spent with the patient that reflects both the thoroughness of the assessment and the nature of the medical issues being handled. In standard practice, adherence to these timeframes, along with documenting appropriate medical decision-making and the complexity of the visit, is crucial for proper coding and billing.