It's set: Use subsequent care for deleted follow-up consults, but confirmatory consults coding varies

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand how consultation reporting shifted across settings and why Medicare and CPT guidance may not align in every case. It is important for avoiding mismatch between payer policy, service setting, and the applicable E/M category.

Article Sections

1. Deleted follow-up consults and replacement service categories

   This section discusses the transition away from deleted follow-up consultation services and identifies the broad types of subsequent care used in related settings. It also introduces the consult categories addressed by the article.

2. CPT guidance for confirmatory consults

   This section summarizes the CPT framing for confirmatory consultation services and notes the role of payer-mandated reporting requirements. It focuses on the general guidance reflected in CPT 2006 and related update material.

3. Medicare guidance and setting-specific E/M reporting

   This section outlines Medicare’s approach to consultation-related services after the code deletions and distinguishes guidance by inpatient, nursing facility, office, and other outpatient settings. It also references Medicare transmittal-based updates and the broader consult criteria discussed in the article.