Dear Parent or Guardian:
    Telephone care continues to increase as a component of after hours care in our pediatric practice.
The American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) manual, the
standard reference for medical coding, categorizes certain telephone calls as case management
services. These calls are categorized and billed by complexity of medical decision making
provided by the physician or other health care provider.
    Effective December 1, 2007, we will begin billing for telephone calls involving certain
components of patient care: 1) 99372 ($30) telephone calls involving the provision of advice on
a new problem, initiating drug therapy, discussing test results, initiating a plan of care or
discussing and evaluating new patient information or details 2) 99373 ($60) telephone calls
involving complex or lengthy discussions relating to an ill patient, coordinating services of
several different health professionals working on different aspects of the total patient care plan.
    We recommend that you inquire with your insurance company regarding payment of these
services as all companies have different coverage policies. Any non-covered insurance
payments will be forwarded to the patient. Please keep in mind, the average after hour telephone
call we receive will not be charged.
    Please feel free to access free health information on our website at www.howardregional.org or
visit www.aap.org for the latest information related to pediatric care. We enjoy taking care of
your children and are proud of the quality pediatric services we provide. Thank you for allowing
us to participate in their health care.

Sincerely,
Your Pediatricians at North Central Indiana Pediatric Center