Professional Claims/Intermediate/20 minutes/Reviewed 2026-07-10
Place of Service Codes for Professional Claims
Choose the two-digit setting code that matches where the professional service was actually furnished.
Quick answer
POS codes identify the service setting on professional claims. The correct code depends on the actual location and payer rules, and can change payment and coverage edits.
Rules to know
- POS 11 is office, 21 inpatient hospital, 22 on-campus outpatient hospital, and 23 hospital emergency room.
- POS 02 and 10 distinguish telehealth settings under applicable payer rules.
- POS should reflect the physical setting, not merely the billing provider's address.
- Always verify the current CMS code set and service-specific rule.
Operational workflow
- 01Identify where the patient and practitioner were located.
- 02Determine whether the claim is professional or institutional.
- 03Select the current POS definition that matches the setting.
- 04Check service-specific coverage, facility/nonfacility payment, and telehealth rules.
- 05Make the record and claim location facts consistent.
Common failure modes
- Using office POS for services actually furnished in a facility.
- Confusing inpatient status with a hospital campus location.
- Selecting telehealth POS without checking date-specific rules.
Knowledge check
Official sources
Continue this track
Education only. Verify the current code set, payer contract, coverage policy, implementation guide, and claim-specific facts. Do not enter protected health information into this site.