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

Why This Topic Matters

The 2024 changes affect common E/M scenarios across office, inpatient, observation, telemedicine, and facility-based care. Understanding the scope of the update helps coding professionals review manuals, align documentation workflows, and identify which reporting situations need closer attention.

Article Sections

1. Coding

   Overview of the article’s focus on 2024 E/M reporting changes and the general areas affected. Introduces the categories of services addressed in the update.

2. Track time changes

   Discusses revised time-based reporting concepts for E/M services and how time is handled across a date of service. Also notes how time is combined when more than one provider is involved.

3. Tighten up telemedicine

   Summarizes updated CPT guidance on telemedicine reporting criteria and the general framework for telemedicine versus face-to-face services. Mentions audio-only and audio-video service categories.

4. Multiple encounters in different settings or facilities

   Covers reporting guidance for more than one encounter or setting on the same date, including inpatient, observation, nursing facility, emergency department, and transfer situations. Describes the article’s focus on same-day per-diem reporting across facilities.

5. Consider example scenarios

   Introduces scenario-based discussion of how the multiple-setting guidance applies in different transfer and discharge situations. The section is framed as examples rather than a full rule listing.

6. Examine split or shared visits

   Reviews the general concept of split or shared E/M services performed by more than one provider. Addresses the article’s broad discussion of selecting the reporting provider using time or medical decision-making.

7. Focus on hospital inpatient or observation care

   Summarizes revisions to hospital inpatient and observation care guidance for 2024, including stay length and visit structure considerations. Also notes how discharge-related reporting is addressed in the article.

8. New code for 2024

   Highlights the addition of a new CPT add-on service for 2024 and the broad categories of services with which it may be associated. The section is limited to the article’s update notice.