How To Use CPT Code 99183

CPT 99183 refers to the attendance and supervision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy by a physician or qualified healthcare professional. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 99183.

1. What is CPT 99183?

CPT 99183 is a medical billing code used to describe the attendance and supervision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. This code is used when a patient requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy for specific conditions, such as decompression sickness, burns, ulcers, and nonhealing wounds. The healthcare professional supervises the entire session, ensuring the patient’s safety and proper administration of the therapy.

2. 99183 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 99183 is: “Physician or other qualified health care professional attendance and supervision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, per session.”

3. Procedure

The 99183 procedure involves the following steps:

1. The patient is positioned in a hyperbaric chamber.
2. The provider establishes the chamber settings, including pressure and oxygen levels.
3. The patient is exposed to oxygen at a pressure higher than the normal atmospheric pressure.
4. The provider attends and supervises the entire session, monitoring the patient’s condition and adjusting the chamber settings as needed.
5. After the session, the provider assesses the patient’s response to the therapy and determines if additional sessions are necessary.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 99183 services are those who require hyperbaric oxygen therapy for specific medical conditions, such as:

• Decompression sickness in deep-sea divers
• Burns
• Ulcers
• Nonhealing wounds
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Chronic refractory osteomyelitis
• Compromised skin grafts or flaps
• Crush injuries
• Gas gangrene
• Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia

It is essential for the healthcare professional to determine if the patient’s condition warrants the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and if the patient meets the eligibility criteria for CPT 99183.

5. When to use CPT code 99183

CPT code 99183 should be used when a physician or qualified healthcare professional attends and supervises a hyperbaric oxygen therapy session for a patient with a qualifying medical condition. The code is reported per session, and the provider must be present for the entire session to bill for this service.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 99183, the following information must be documented:

• Patient’s medical history and diagnosis
• Indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Number of sessions required
• Provider’s attendance and supervision during the session
• Chamber settings, including pressure and oxygen levels
• Patient’s response to the therapy
• Any complications or adverse reactions during the session
• Follow-up care and additional treatment plans, if necessary

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 99183, it is important to follow specific guidelines and rules to ensure proper reimbursement. These include:

• Report CPT 99183 per session, with each session billed separately.
• Ensure the provider’s attendance and supervision during the entire session are documented.
• Include any additional Evaluation and Management services or procedures provided in conjunction with the hyperbaric oxygen therapy session, reported separately.
• Verify the patient’s insurance coverage for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and obtain any necessary pre-authorizations.

8. Historical information

CPT 99183 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1994. The code’s description was changed on January 1, 2013, from “Physician attendance and supervision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, per session” to its current description.

9. Similar codes to CPT 99183

Five similar codes to CPT 99183 include:

• CPT 99180: This code is used for the surgical excision of osteomyelitis, sequestra, or cortical bone, which may be performed in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic refractory osteomyelitis.
• CPT 97605: This code is used for negative pressure wound therapy, which may be an alternative or adjunct treatment for nonhealing wounds.
• CPT 97606: This code is used for negative pressure wound therapy with disposable, non-durable medical equipment, which may also be an alternative or adjunct treatment for nonhealing wounds.
• CPT 97597: This code is used for wound debridement, which may be performed in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for nonhealing wounds.
• CPT 97598: This code is used for wound debridement, each additional 20 square centimeters, which may also be performed in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for nonhealing wounds.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT code 99183 procedures:

1. A patient with a nonhealing diabetic foot ulcer receives hyperbaric oxygen therapy under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
2. A deep-sea diver with decompression sickness undergoes hyperbaric oxygen therapy supervised by a physician.
3. A patient with a severe burn injury receives hyperbaric oxygen therapy to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection.
4. A patient with carbon monoxide poisoning undergoes hyperbaric oxygen therapy to reduce the risk of long-term neurological damage.
5. A patient with chronic refractory osteomyelitis receives hyperbaric oxygen therapy as an adjunct to surgical treatment.
6. A patient with a compromised skin graft undergoes hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve graft survival.
7. A patient with a crush injury receives hyperbaric oxygen therapy to reduce swelling and promote healing.
8. A patient with gas gangrene undergoes hyperbaric oxygen therapy to reduce the spread of infection and promote healing.
9. A patient with acute traumatic peripheral ischemia receives hyperbaric oxygen therapy to improve blood flow and tissue oxygenation.
10. A patient with a nonhealing pressure ulcer undergoes hyperbaric oxygen therapy to promote wound healing and reduce the risk of infection.