RHC ENCOUNTERS

 The term “visit” is defined as a face-to-face encounter between the patient and a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, visiting nurse, clinical psychologist, or clinical social worker during which an RHC service is rendered. 

 Encounters with (1) more than one health professional; and (2) multiple encounters with the same health professional which takes place on the same day and at the same location, constitutes a single visit. Exceptions will be addressed later in presentation.

RHC ENCOUNTERS ARE NOT

 Non covered services 

 Non medical necessity services 

 Administration of injection only 

 Dressing change 

 Refill of prescriptions 

 Lab tests/results only 

 Completion of claim forms 

 Care plan oversight

 99211 is NOT an RHC encounter. If the provider is billing this level they are most likely undercoding

RHC LOCATIONS

 The clinic (office) 

 Home visit (the home of the patient) 

 Nursing Home 

 Scene of an accident

RURAL HEALTH SERVICES

 Practitioner services 

 Physician 

 NP, PA, CMN 

 Clinical Psychologist/ Social Worker 

 Registered dietitians or nutritional professionals for diabetes training services and medical nutrition therapy 

 Services and supplies incident to practitioner services 

 They are not separately billable or payable 

 Injections 

 Suture removal 

 Dressing changes 

 Blood pressure monitoring 

 Covered drugs that are furnished by, and incident to, services of practitioners of the RHC