Navigate new combo observation/inpatient codes, more 2023 changes

Why This Topic Matters

These changes affect how hospital E/M services are categorized and reported beginning in 2023, making it important for coding teams to review updated CPT guidance and compare it with Medicare policy.

Article Sections

1. Coding

   Introduces the 2023 hospital E/M update and summarizes the scope of the observation and inpatient changes. It also discusses the overall shift in the coding framework for affected services.

2. Take a closer look

   Reviews the hospital observation-to-inpatient crosswalk concept and related updates to facility visit reporting. It also notes changes to discharge-related guidance and the broader impact on patient-status handling.

3. MDM table takes updates

   Summarizes revisions to the medical decision-making guidance and table for hospital-related encounters. It highlights that examples and risk/problem categories were updated for 2023.

4. Other E/M services will be unbundled

   Discusses how same-day services in other settings relate to admission and observation reporting under the updated guidance. It also notes the distinction between AMA guidance and CMS policy.

5. Resources

   Lists supporting reference materials for the 2023 E/M changes and the proposed Medicare physician fee schedule.