Be prepared: Examine 2024 E/M guideline and code changes

Why This Topic Matters

Annual E/M updates can affect documentation review, code selection, and reporting consistency across common care settings. Understanding these changes helps coding professionals recognize which services and scenarios are impacted before applying the full CPT guidance.

Article Sections

1. Track time changes

   Discusses revisions to time-based E/M reporting for 2024 and how the updated timing framework fits into physician and QHP documentation and code selection.

2. Tighten up telemedicine

   Summarizes the expanded CPT guidance for telemedicine services and the general criteria highlighted for reporting virtual encounters.

3. Multiple encounters in different settings or facilities

   Reviews guidance for services provided in more than one setting or encounter on the same date, including how the article frames transfers and same-day reporting issues.

4. Consider example scenarios

   Presents scenario-based illustrations tied to encounters across settings and facilities, including reporting considerations for same-day transitions.

5. Examine split or shared visits

   Covers the 2024 discussion of split or shared E/M services and the broad factors involved in determining reporting responsibility.

6. Focus on hospital inpatient or observation care

   Addresses updates to inpatient and observation care guidance, including same-day admission and discharge topics and related reporting situations.

7. New code for 2024

   Introduces the new 2024 add-on code and notes the categories of services with which it is associated.