Frequently Asked Questions (October 2020)

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers identify whether it covers their specialty or coding concern and whether it discusses CPT update topics relevant to 2021. It also signals the presence of multiple code sets and reporting scenarios that may affect coding workflow, documentation review, and claims processing.

Article Sections

1. Evaluation and Management: Office or Other Outpatient Services

   This section addresses questions about CPT 2021 office or other outpatient E/M service revisions and related comparisons to other E/M service categories. It focuses on the scope of the update and the general rationale for the changes.

2. Surgery: Musculoskeletal System

   This section covers a surgical coding question involving the musculoskeletal system and the reporting of a foot or ankle-related excision. It discusses the broad anatomic and procedural context involved in selecting the appropriate CPT code.

3. Surgery: Digestive System

   This section presents a trauma surgery coding scenario involving liver injury management along with other abdominal procedures. It outlines the related CPT options and the broader clinical setting for the question.

4. Radiology: Nuclear Medicine

   This section discusses nuclear medicine SPECT imaging reporting after a prior code deletion and the replacement coding context. It covers the general imaging modality and timing considerations referenced in the article.

5. Medicine: Psychiatry

   This section addresses initial psychiatric evaluation reporting in a setting that includes both diagnostic and psychotherapy-related considerations. It compares broad reporting pathways for psychiatric services and E/M services.

6. Medicine: Neurology and Neuromuscular Procedures

   This section covers intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring reporting by different personnel and in different monitoring settings. It discusses the broader distinction between physician and nonphysician reporting contexts.