Qualified nonphysician health care professional online digital assessment and management, for an established patient, for up to 7 days, cumulative time during the 7 days; 21 or more minutes
CPT4 code
Name of the Procedure:
Online Digital Assessment and Management by a Qualified Non-Physician Health Care Professional for an Established Patient (21 or More Minutes, Cumulative Over 7 Days)
Summary
This procedure involves a non-physician healthcare professional, such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, providing medical assessment and management services to an established patient via online communication. This service accumulates time spent over a span of up to seven days, totaling 21 minutes or more.
Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to allow patients to receive medical advice, assessment, and management for ongoing health issues without needing an in-person visit. It aims to provide convenient and timely healthcare, manage symptoms, adjust treatments, and improve overall patient health outcomes.
Indications
- Chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
- Follow-up for existing conditions
- Medication management or adjustment
- New or worsening symptoms that do not require an immediate physical examination
- Mental health check-ins
Preparation
- Ensure you have internet access and a device capable of online communication
- Prepare a list of symptoms, medications, and any questions
- No specific medical preparations like fasting or medication adjustments are needed beforehand
Procedure Description
- Initial Contact: The patient reaches out through a secure online portal or platform.
- Information Gathering: The healthcare professional reviews the patient's medical history and current condition.
- Communication: The patient and healthcare professional communicate through texts, emails, or video calls as required during the seven days.
- Assessment: The professional evaluates the patient's symptoms, treatment efficacy, and any new data provided.
- Management: Advice, prescription adjustments, and further diagnostic tests may be given.
- Documentation: All interactions are documented in the patient's medical record.
Tools: Secure online communication platforms, electronic health records (EHR) systems. Anesthesia or Sedation: Not applicable.
Duration
Cumulative total of 21 minutes or more over a period of up to 7 days.
Setting
Conducted remotely from the patient's home, or wherever the patient has internet access.
Personnel
Qualified non-physician healthcare professionals, such as:
- Nurse Practitioners (NPs)
- Physician Assistants (PAs)
- Other licensed healthcare providers
Risks and Complications
- Miscommunication due to lack of physical examination
- Privacy concerns if a secure platform is not used
- Delay in diagnosis if symptoms worsen without appropriate in-person follow-up
Benefits
- Convenient access to healthcare from home
- Timely advice and management for ongoing health issues
- Reduces the need for in-person visits, saving time and resources
Recovery
- No physical recovery is necessary
- Follow the healthcare professional’s advice and any prescriptions or treatments recommended
- Schedule follow-up appointments as needed (online or in-person)
Alternatives
- In-person visits for direct examination and assessment
- Telephone consultations
- Urgent care visits for more immediate needs
Pros and Cons of Alternatives:
- In-person visits offer a hands-on assessment but may require travel and waiting time.
- Telephone consultations provide immediate verbal communication but lack visual cues.
Patient Experience
- Convenience of accessing healthcare services from home
- Potential concerns about the adequacy of remote assessment and management
- Typically, minimal discomfort as there’s no physical examination involved
- Assurance that help is available without physical presence
- Pain management and comfort measures are generally not applicable for this procedure