Psychiatrist codes and time spent with me?

[D224]

I have been to a psychiatrist and I can not understand how he is billing me. The codes he gives in the invoice are 99214 and 90838. I looked them up and the second codes says 60 mins of psychotherapy. However I never see him for that long. He is always late and today I saw him for probably 30 mins. Has anyone else had this problem? And how can he charge me for more time?

[caregiver222]

If you "bring it up with him" he will state "I made an error" and your bill will be simply corrected. This situation is widespread. You don't need an attorney. You need to call your local F.B.I. office and request to speak with the "Qui Tam" agent. If it is determined that there is widespread mis-billing, and the agent determines the case falls under "Qui-Tam", the government will collect the money and you will be rewarded with a large percentage of all money collected. If there are hundreds of patients you could collect thousands of dollars.

[Nik121]

Bring it up to him. Was there a contract you signed before you started seeing him? If so ask to read it. Read every line word for word carefully. If not tell him if you're paying for 1 hr you better get one hour or else you're calling a lawyer.

[caregiver222]

If these codes represent care under medicare or medicade this constitutes fraud. Under the "Qui-Tam" act reporting such fraud entitles you to obtain money from the government for all frauds over the years commited by a specific physician. This can result in you obtaining thousands of dollars.  Not just your own. Every F.B.I. office has an agent dedicated to "Qui-Tam" prosecution and this is where the fraud should be reported to.

[LVGirlRN]

He shouldnt be charging you for more than your session time, 60 min is not the lowest increment available.  I saw a code for 45 min also. Call your doctors office and ask for billing and enquire about it. Or call your insurance company and ask them about it.  Tell either how much time you spent with the actual DR, not time in the waiting room.  

CPT Code 92214 means: Offic/Outpt E&M Estab Mod-Hi established patient.   CPT Code 90838 means: psychotherapy, 60 minutes

Hope this helps! :)