What is a "split/shared" visit in CPT?

A "split/shared" visit refers to a service rendered during a single patient encounter that is provided by both a physician and a non-physician practitioner (NPP), such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. The essential component of this definition is the collaborative nature of the visit; both practitioners contribute to the patient's care, which is documented and billed together. In this arrangement, the combined efforts may enhance the continuity and quality of patient care.

The reason this definition is correct is that it highlights the shared responsibility and collaborative approach to patient management. It is important to ensure accurate documentation of each practitioner's contributions to abide by billing guidelines and to appropriately reflect the nature of the services provided in the patient’s medical record.

The other choices do not accurately capture the concept of a "split/shared" visit. For example, the first option, mentioning only a nurse and a physician, omits the involvement of NPPs, which is integral to defining this type of visit. Similarly, the option discussing separate billing statements doesn't align with the concept, as a split/shared visit typically allows for a unified billing approach, reflecting the collaborative effort. Lastly, the option that suggests these visits can only be billed as a whole misunderstand the nuances of how services can be billed