A Closer Look at 2021 Outpatient and Office E/M Coding

Why This Topic Matters

The article covers a major shift in office and outpatient E/M coding methodology, including how time is considered, how prolonged services are reported, and why payer-specific adoption matters for accurate claims and documentation.

Article Sections

1. Introduction to 2021 E/M changes

   Introduces the upcoming changes to office and outpatient evaluation and management coding and frames the discussion around time-based and decision-making approaches.

2. Coding E/M visits with time

   Reviews the shift toward using time as a service-level factor and summarizes the types of activities discussed in relation to that approach.

3. Time increments will increase in 2021

   Addresses the article's comparison of time requirements and the need for documentation when time is used as the primary basis for code selection.

4. Correct coding for prolonged clinical staff time

   Covers prolonged service reporting in the outpatient setting and discusses how extended clinical staff time is handled in relation to E/M services.

5. What about coding for extended physician time?

   Discusses the separate prolonged physician time concept introduced for selected visit levels and its relationship to outpatient E/M coding.

6. Say goodbye to 99201 in 2021

   Explains the article's discussion of the elimination of a low-level new patient visit and the continued presence of an established patient level discussed in the piece.

7. Beware of payer differences

   Highlights that adoption of the revised methodology may vary by payer and that coders need to verify applicable rules.