Critical Care Documentation
Reference the follow PDF for information related to critical care documentation.
- Code 99291 is used to report the first 30-74 minutes of critical care on a given date. It should be used only once per date even if the time spent by the individual is not continuous on that date.
- Critical care of less than 30 minutes total duration on a given date should be reported with the appropriate E/M code.
- Code 99292 is used to report additional block(s) of time, of up to 30 minutes each beyond the first 74 minutes.
- Time spent performing separately reportable procedures or services should not be included in the time reported as critical care time.
| Total Duration of Critical Care Codes | |
|---|---|
| Less than 30 minutes | Appropriate E/M codes |
| 30-74 Minutes (30 min - 1 hr 14 min) | 99291 x 1 |
| 75-104 Minutes (1 hr 15 min - 1 hr 44 min) | 99291 x 1 AND 99292 x 1 |
| 105 - 134 Minutes (1 hr 45 min - 2 hr 14 min) | 99291 x 1 AND 99292 x 2 |
| 135 - 164 Minutes (2 hr 15 min - 2 hr 44 min) | 99291 x 1 AND 99292 x 3 |
| 165 - 194 Minutes (2 hr 45 min - 3 hr 14 min) | 99291 x 1 AND 99292 x 4 |
| 195 minutes or longer (3 hr 15 min - etc) | 99291 and 99292 as appropriate |