Coding Challenge: Dental Emergencies in Urgent Care

Determine the correct evaluation and management (E/M) service code for this urgent care encounter:

SUBJECTIVE

56-year-old established male patient presents to urgent care with chief complaints of fever, lower jaw pain and swelling, malaise, and the inability to fully open his mouth. He felt fine last night at 11 p.m. when he went to bed. He awoke earlier than normal this morning with jaw pain and swelling and his temperature was 99.8°F. Symptoms have worsened throughout the day. He has taken OTC ibuprofen with little relief of the pain or fever. No recent dental procedures.

Past Medical History

  • DM Type II
  • Prostate cancer – currently receiving chemotherapy
  • HTN

Current Medications

  • Metformin 500 mg BID
  • Lisinopril/HCTZ 20/12.5 daily

Drug Allergies

  • PCN– rash

OBJECTIVE

  • BP 144/88 mm Hg
  • HR 104 Reg
  • RR 16 breaths/min
  • Temp 101.6°F
  • SPO2 96%
  • Ht. 5’10”
  • Wt. 208 lbs.

Physical Exam

  • A&OX3, sitting on exam table, appears ill, pale
  • HEENT: PERRLA, no corneal injection. Oropharynx:  trismus noted. TTP and fullness to the right 2nd premolar area with submandibular swelling.
  • Neck: notable swelling to the right submandibular space with TTP. No wounds.
  • Lungs: CTAB, no rales, rhonchi, or wheezing
  • Heart: Tachy rate without murmur

ASSESSMENT

  • Fever
  • Jaw pain – possible deep space abscess
  • DM Type II
  • History of prostate cancer

PLAN

He refused EMS transport to the local ED. He was advised and signed AMA for EMS transport. His son is with him and will take him directly to the ED.

He will continue current medications listed above for his DM and prostate cancer. He has an appointment next week with his endocrinologist and oncology provider to discuss further.

Let’s consider this patient encounter using this simplified Elements of Medical Decision Making table to find the appropriate LOS (level of service):1

MDM LevelaProblems AddressedComplexity of DataRisk of ComplicationsE/M Service
Codes
Level 2:
Straightforward
Minor/self-limitedMinimal/noneMinimal risk99202
99212
Level 3: Low• 1 stable chronic illness
• 1 acute, uncomplicated illness
• 1 acute, uncomplicated injury
At least 1 of these:
• 2 data sources (eg, ordering or
reviewing tests)
• Independent historian
OTC medication
management
99203
99213
Level 4: Moderate• 1 or more chronic illnesses
with exacerbation
• 2 stable chronic illnesses
• 1 undiagnosed new problem (uncertain prognosis)
• 1 acute illness with systemic
symptoms
At least 1 of these:
• 3 data sources (eg, ordering
or reviewing tests); can include
independent historian
• Independent interpretation of
test results
• Discussion of management or
test interpretation
• Prescription drug
management
• Significant social
determinants of health
99204
99214
Level 5: High• Severe illness with
exacerbation
• Threat to life or bodily function
At least 2 of these:
• 3 data sources (eg, ordering
or reviewing tests); can include
independent historian
• Independent interpretation of
test results
• Discussion of management or
test interpretation
Severe without
emergent treatment
99205
99215
aLevel is based on 2 out of 3 elements of medical decision making.
Abbreviations: E/M, evaluation and management; MDM, medical decision making; OTC, over the counter.

Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed

Male patient complains of of sudden onset of fever, jaw pain and swelling, and malaise. His temperature was 101.6°F and his heart rate was 104 beats/min, meeting the criteria for SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome). This is an acute illness with systemic symptoms, which meets the criteria for Moderate, Level 4.

Amount and/or Complexity of Data to be Reviewed and Analyzed

No lab tests or imaging studies were ordered or reviewed, no independent historian was utilized, and there was no discussion of management with an external source. This meets the criteria for Straightforward, Level 2.

Risk of Complications and/or Morbidity or Mortality of Patient Management

This patient has a high risk of a poor outcome due to the severity of his illness. He went to the ED for further emergent evaluation. This meets the criteria for High, Level 5.

2 of the 3 Elements of Medical Decision Making must be met or exceeded when choosing the level of service. This encounter met Level 4 criteria in the Problems Addressed category and Level 5 criteria in the Risk category, so the correct E/M code is 99204.

1American Medical Association. CPT® evaluation and management (E/M) office or other outpatient (99202-99215) and prolonged services (99354, 99355, 99356, 99417) code and guideline changes. Accessed September 10, 2022. Available at: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-06/cpt-office-prolonged-svs-codechanges.pdf

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Last Updated on May 30, 2023

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