Psychiatry Billing for Nursing Home Services: Understanding Coding Options

This article reviews information on coding options, documentation, and payment for both initial and follow-up visits in the nursing home setting. Specific information is provided for both the psychiatry as well as the Evaluation & Management (E&M) code series. Payments are compared for comparable services in order to provide the nursing home psychiatrist with an understanding of the options available. Documentation, background information, and proposed note formatting are also provided. Proper use of the E&M series can provide valuable coding options.