CPT 2026 · E/M

CPT 99291

Global XXX Active

Critical care first hour

Effective 2026-04-01 Conv. factor $33.4009

$316.07

National Avg (Non-Fac)

9.25

Total RVU

NCCI Partners

109

MPFS Localities

CPT 99291 Billing & Documentation Guide

CPT code 99291 (Critical care first hour) is classified under E/M with a global period indicator of XXX. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 4.5, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 4.29, and a malpractice RVU of 0.46, a total non-facility RVU of 9.25 and facility RVU of 5.96. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $316.07, though rates vary from $281.3 to $386.53 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).

When billing 99291, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 99291 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).

Coding Tips for 99291

Real-world specialist guidance from the PayerReady Medical Coding Team, not generic boilerplate.

Critical care (99291 = first 30-74 minutes, 99292 = each additional 30 minutes). Time must be documented with precise minutes spent at bedside or immediately available for the patient.

Critical care requires (1) critical illness/injury AND (2) physician's full attention. Routine monitoring time does not count. Time spent reviewing data, discussing with family regarding end-of-life decisions, coordinating care IS countable if focused on this patient.

Bundled services under critical care (cannot bill separately same encounter): interpretation of cardiac output, ventilator management, blood gases, pulse oximetry, chest X-rays interpreted by the critical care physician, gastric intubation, transcutaneous pacing, vascular access procedures.

Payment Status & Global Period

CMS Status Indicator

Active code (paid under MPFS)

Global Period

XXX

No global period (E/M and other non-procedural services)

MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)

Max units per beneficiary per date of service

Rationale: Code Descriptor / CPT Instruction

Adjudication: Date of Service (Policy)

Source: CMS NCCI MUE Practitioner Services, effective 2026-04-01.

Submitting more than 1 units of 99291 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.

RVU Breakdown, CPT 99291

Component	Non-Facility	Facility
Work RVU	4.5	4.5
Practice Expense RVU	4.29	1
Malpractice RVU	0.46	0.46
Total RVU	9.25	5.96
Conversion Factor	$33.4009

2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 99291

State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.

State	Non-Facility	Facility	Range (Non-Fac)	Localities
California	$333.57	$203.54	$318.14 - $381.7	29
Florida	$323.98	$213.73	$310.38 - $338.33	3
Georgia	$305.61	$200.77	$296.43 - $314.79	2
Illinois	$318.64	$212.46	$305.14 - $330.62	4
Michigan	$306.48	$203.3	$298.47 - $314.48	2
North Carolina	$293.81	$191.28	$293.81 - $293.81	1
New York	$338.17	$215.58	$297.23 - $358.83	5
Ohio	$296.62	$196.29	$296.62 - $296.62	1
Pennsylvania	$308.43	$200.8	$296.36 - $320.5	2
Texas	$306.47	$198.29	$294.97 - $315.82	8

Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.

NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 99291

Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 99291 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.

Partner Code	Relationship	Modifier Allowed	Rationale
0074T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	9	CPT Manual or CMS manual coding instruction
0115T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0116T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0188T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	No	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0189T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	No	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0359T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0360T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0361T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0362T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code
0362T	Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier	Yes	Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code

Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 99291

What does CPT code 99291 mean? +

CPT code 99291 represents: Critical care first hour. It's in the E/M category with a global period of XXX.

What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 99291? +

The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 99291 is $316.07. Rates range from $281.3 to $386.53 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.

What modifiers can I use with CPT 99291? +

E/M codes commonly use modifier 25 (significant separately identifiable E/M on same day as a procedure), 57 (decision for major surgery), 24 (unrelated E/M during global period), 95 (synchronous audio+video telehealth), 93 (audio-only telehealth), and AI (principal physician of record on admission). Surgical modifiers like 50, 51, 59 do not apply to E/M.

What bundling edits apply to CPT 99291? +

This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.