Telephone E/M codes replaced, new code for online evaluations

Why This Topic Matters

These updates affect how remote communication, screening, and counseling services are categorized and billed, and they may influence documentation, reimbursement, and code selection workflows.

Article Sections

1. Telephone and online evaluation codes

   Introduces upcoming CPT changes for remote evaluation and management services delivered by phone or electronic communication. The section also notes related updates to existing code families and general reporting context.

2. Guidelines for the new phone call codes

   Summarizes the broad guidance that will accompany the telephone services codes, including when the services are considered part of another encounter and when they are not reported separately.

3. Online E/M code for your NPPs

   Describes a new online evaluation code intended for non-physician providers and notes that additional details were pending at the time of publication.

4. Tobacco, alcohol risk reduction E/Ms

   Covers new CPT behavior-change intervention codes for tobacco, alcohol, and substance-related screening and brief intervention services. It also discusses how these services fit alongside other E/M reporting concepts and the new subheading for these services.