How to report shared visit services using the 2021 E/M guidelines

Why This Topic Matters

Shared encounters can create uncertainty about how to account for clinician time under the 2021 E/M rules. Understanding the general approach helps coding professionals and providers apply the office visit guidelines consistently when documenting and reporting E/M services.

Article Sections

1. Question

   Introduces the coding scenario involving a shared office visit and asks whether a single E/M code can be reported under the 2021 guidelines.

2. Answer

   Summarizes the time-based framework for 2021 E/M visit code selection and identifies the broad types of work that may count toward total time.

3. Shared visit time example

   Provides a sample encounter showing how time from multiple clinicians is combined for a visit and how that affects office visit code selection at a general level.

4. Editor’s note

   Credits the source of the answer and notes the webinar context in which the question was addressed.