CPT Knowledgebase - Aug 12, 2022

What is the current guidance for reporting E/M services with psychotherapy codes 90833, 90836, and 90838? Per CPT coding conventions, time is not an allowable component for E/M code selection in this situation because psychotherapy services are time-based codes. Both services cannot be assigned based on time. However, the psychotherapy subsection guidelines do not reflect the 2021 changes to the criteria for E/M office visit code selection (medical decision making [MDM] or time). If health care professionals follow the 2021 guidelines for level selection for E/M services, they must use MDM to assign the E/M level of service. If they are allowed to follow the CMS 1995/1997 Documentation Guidelines for Evaluation and Management Services, they may use history, examination, and MDM. What is the correct criterion to use for E/M code selection?

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