E/M 2021: Auditors can’t penalize your time-based office visits

Why This Topic Matters

It helps readers understand how the 2021 office visit E/M changes affect documentation review and claim selection, especially when time and medical decision making support different levels. The article is important for practices that want to apply consistent internal policy while remaining aligned with payer audit expectations.

Article Sections

1. Time-based versus medical decision-making coding

   Discusses the general choice between time and medical decision making for office/outpatient E/M visits and the compliance context for that choice.

2. Conference discussion and expert viewpoints

   Summarizes comments from coding and Medicare contractor experts presented at industry meetings about documentation review and selection flexibility.

3. Documentation review and practice policy

   Covers how auditors and contractor reviewers may approach records when a practice uses a consistent or encounter-by-encounter coding method.