Over 75% of physicians report spending at least 2–3 hours per day on digital patient communications—including portal messages, emails, and follow-ups outside of visits. Yet only a fraction of practices bill for these services. That’s thousands in lost revenue each month.
| Common Non-Face-to-Face Activities | Can You Bill? | Correct Code(s) | Minimum Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reviewing patient-initiated portal messages | Yes | 99421, 99422, 99423 | 5-21+ mins cumulative over 7 days |
| Responding to secure emails or app-based messages | Yes | 99421–99423 | Same as above |
| Patient phone calls (audio-only, synchronous) | ⚠️ Sometimes | See 98966–98968 (new guidance) | Depends on time (5-21+ mins) |
| Reviewing test results or imaging with patient follow-up | Yes | 99421–99423 | Must be patient-initiated |
| Scheduling or admin communication | ❌ No | Not billable | - |
➤ Replaced by 98966–98968 for audio-only services.
➤ You must now use separate codes depending on audio vs. digital vs. video interactions.
You’re likely already doing the work. The key is recognizing what’s billable, using the correct codes, and documenting cumulative time over a 7-day period. Make sure:
If you’re still not billing for online digital E/M services, you're not just missing revenue—you’re subsidizing your care.
Start capturing what you deserve—with clarity, compliance, and confidence.
For more details, schedule a demo with ModuleMD today.
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