This page addresses follow-up questions and additional information pertinent to our webinar
Teaching Physicians Guidelines

** The coding information and guidance are valid at the time of publishing. Learners are encouraged to research
subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.

Q: When the attending physician and the medical student both document an E and M service, do we include the student’s contribution towards the level of service?
A: No. The level of service (based on time or MDM) should be determined solely by the physician’s documentation.

Q: For residency programs granted the primary care exception, can a teaching physician supervise residents who have not yet completed 6 months of their residency?
A: Per CMS (2024), teaching physicians can supervise residents who have completed less than 6 months of their residency training; the primary care exception would not apply. The teaching physician would need to be physically present during the key or critical portions of the service in order to bill the service

Q: What modifier should be used if the teaching physician sees the patient because the service supports moderate or high MDM?
A: When both the resident and the teaching physician see the patient in order to bill 99214 or 99215, for example, using modifier GC would be appropriate to indicate that the teaching physician was present during key portions of the E/M service.

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