Improvement

Coding Experiments Gone Wrong
Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE)

Many physicians attempt to bill a MMSE in addition to a visit. This is unfortunate because the MMSE code(s) are psychological services and may be processed at a lower benefit by the insurance carriers. The CPT manual clearly states: “For mini-mental status examination performed by a physician, see Evaluation and Management services codes.”

The health plans will tend to deny the MMSE, however, they may choose to deny the Evaluation and Management code and process the MMSE resulting in lower reimbursement (or no reimbursement at all).