Face-to-face encounter

CMS says that for all items requiring a face-to-face encounter, a practitioner visit is required within six months before the order. The visit must gather subjective and objective information about diagnosing, treating or managing the condition for which the item is ordered, and it must be documented in the medical record. CMS requires the encounter only for items on its required list or those with a statutory rule. The Medicare TENS policy article refers to this rule for specified codes. Ask your clinician whether your TENS code is on the current list. See also written order prior to delivery and the referral documentation guide.