Evaluation and Management (E/M) CPT codes are a set of medical codes used to document and bill for the services provided by healthcare providers during a patient encounter. These codes are used by physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals to describe the level of service provided during an office visit, hospital admission, or another healthcare encounter.
However, codes for the procedures like physiotherapy, radiology, diagnostic tests, and specific treatment and therapies are not included and cannot be billed under E&M codes. Here’s a list of services that evaluation and management CPT codes include;
E&M (Evaluation and Management) codes list;
E&M codes are organized into the following subcategories[1] :
(99201–99215) Office/other outpatient services
(99217–99220) Hospital observation services
(99221–99239) Hospital Inpatient services
(99241–99255) Consultations
(99281–99288) Emergency department services
(99291–99292) Critical care services
(99304–99318) Nursing facility services
(99324–99337) Domiciliary, rest home (boarding home) or custodial care services
(99339–99340) Domiciliary, rest home (assisted living), or home care plan oversight services
(99341–99350) Home health services
(99354–99360) Prolonged services
(99363–99368) Case management services
(99374–99380) Care plan oversight services
(99381–99429) Preventive medicine services
(99441–99444) Non-face-to-face office visits
(99450–99456) Special evaluation and management services
(99460–99465) Newborn care services
(99466–99480) Inpatient neonatal intensive and pediatric/neonatal critical care services
(99487–99489) Complex chronic care coordination services
(99495–99496) Transitional care management services
(99499) Other evaluation and management services
What are Evaluation and Management CPT codes?
The E/M codes are divided into different levels, each representing a different level of complexity and intensity of care provided to the patient. The levels are based on factors such as the complexity of the patient’s medical condition, the amount of time spent with the patient, and the level of decision-making required to diagnose and treat the patient.
There are two categories of E/M codes: office or other outpatient services and hospital inpatient services. The codes range from 99201-99499, with 99201 being the least complex and 99499 being the most complex.
It’s important for healthcare providers to accurately document the level of service provided during a patient encounter to ensure proper reimbursement for their services. Additionally, insurance companies use these codes to determine the appropriate payment for the services provided.
Important guidelines for E&M CPT codes!
There are several important guidelines to keep in mind when using Evaluation and Management (E/M) CPT codes. Here are some key points to consider:
Code Selection: It’s important to choose the appropriate E/M code based on the level of service provided and the specific documentation requirements for that code. The level of service is determined by factors such as the complexity of the patient’s medical condition, the amount of time spent with the patient, and the level of decision-making required.
Medical Necessity: E/M codes should only be used when the service provided is medically necessary and within the scope of practice of the healthcare provider. The documentation should clearly show the medical necessity of the service and support the code chosen.
Documentation Requirements: The documentation should be thorough and complete and support the service level billed. The documentation should include a chief complaint, history of present illness, review of systems, physical examination, and medical decision-making.
Specificity: It’s important to document specific details about the patient’s medical condition, the service provided, and the medical decision-making process. Vague or general statements should be avoided, as they may not support the level of service billed.
Consistency: The documentation and coding should be consistent and accurately reflect the level of service provided. Inconsistencies or discrepancies may raise red flags with payers and auditors.
Compliance: It’s vital to ensure that the documentation and coding practices comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including those related to fraud and abuse, medical necessity, and coding accuracy. Healthcare providers should stay up-to-date with changes in coding guidelines and regulations and seek out education and training as needed.
Key considerations to applying E&M CPT code
E&M CPT codes should be accurately applied to have complete reimbursement for medical services. However, the key elements should be considered to comply with AMA guidelines to select the codes and get compensated without delays accurately.
To select suitable E&M CPT codes, the following are some important elements to consider;
Time-Based coding?
Some E/M codes are based on the time spent with the patient rather than the complexity of the service provided. When using time-based codes, the provider should document the start and end times of the encounter and the total time spent with the patient. This time-based coding can be used either for the duration spent face-to-face, through email communication, or through virtual calls. The codes can be listed for the scenarios including;
- Reviewing/obtaining patient history separately
- Preparing for the patient visits
- Performing medically approved examination or procedure
- Prescribing medication, procedures, and tests
- Educating and counselling patients/caregivers/family
- Interpreting results independently to patients and caregivers
- Documenting results electronically to maintain health records and clinical information
- Coordination of care
One thing that needs to be kept in mind is that any provider’s travel time to reach the facility to see patients will not be coded. Plus, educating and counselling time unrelated to a patient’s treatment will not be considered.
Medical decision making (MDM)
Medical Decision Making (MDM) is one of the key components used to determine the appropriate level of Evaluation and Management (E&M) service to be billed. MDM refers to the process by which a healthcare provider arrives at a diagnosis and develops a treatment plan for the patient. The level of MDM is based on the complexity of the decision-making process.
MDM is evaluated based on three key elements: the number of diagnoses or management options, the amount and/or complexity of data reviewed, and the risk of complications, morbidity, or mortality associated with the patient’s condition and the proposed management plan.
Other considerations for E&M codes include;
- Established patients or new patients
- Codes for prolonged services, when a physician renders service to a patient in an outpatient or inpatient setting and make a direct care contract. A separate set of codes will be used for direct patient contact for prolonged services.
Conclusion
Healthcare providers should stay up-to-date with changes in coding guidelines and regulations and seek out education and training as needed to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
Finally, it’s important to maintain consistency and accuracy in the documentation and coding practices to avoid inconsistencies or discrepancies that may raise red flags with payers and auditors. It’s also important to choose the appropriate E/M code based on the level of service provided and to ensure that the documentation supports the code chosen.
Medical Decision Making (MDM) is one of the critical components used to determine the appropriate level of E/M service to be billed. It is based on the number of diagnoses or management options, the amount and complexity of data reviewed, and the risk of complications, morbidity, or mortality associated with the patient’s condition and the proposed management plan.
