In simple words: This code is used when a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional spends 30 minutes or less helping a patient leave a nursing home. This includes checking on the patient, discussing their stay, giving instructions to family or caregivers, and preparing paperwork for discharge.

This CPT code, 99315, reports nursing facility discharge management services requiring a total of 30 minutes or less of face-to-face time with the patient and/or their family/caregiver on the encounter date.The service includes a final patient examination, discussion of the nursing facility stay (even if not continuous), instructions for continuing care to caregivers, and preparation of discharge records, prescriptions, and referrals. The face-to-face encounter may occur before the patient's actual discharge date.

Example 1: A 78-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities is being discharged from a nursing facility after a 3-week rehabilitation stay. The physician spends 25 minutes reviewing the patient's condition, discussing discharge plans with the family, and ensuring proper medication reconciliation and follow-up appointments are scheduled. Code 99315 is appropriate., An 85-year-old patient with dementia is discharged from a nursing facility. The physician performs a brief physical examination, discusses discharge plans with the patient's primary caregiver, and reviews home safety and medication administration protocols. The visit lasts 20 minutes. Code 99315 is appropriate., A 67-year-old patient with a recent hip replacement is being discharged from a nursing facility. The physician spends 28 minutes reviewing the patient’s post-operative course, providing instructions on pain management and physical therapy, coordinating follow-up appointments with orthopedic surgery and physical therapy, and discussing home care needs with the patient and family. Code 99315 is appropriate.

* Detailed documentation of the face-to-face encounter with the patient and/or caregiver.* Time spent in the encounter (must be ≤ 30 minutes).* Summary of the patient's nursing facility stay.* Physical examination findings (if performed).* Discharge instructions given to the patient and/or caregiver.* Prescriptions written and/or reviewed.* Referral information (if applicable).* Medication reconciliation.

** The total time spent on the date of the face-to-face encounter should be used for code selection, even if the time is not continuous.Thorough documentation is crucial for accurate coding and reimbursement.