decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2019 Issue 3 (March)
Understanding E/M: Practices yawn at documentation tweaks, may use monitoring codes
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Article Overview
This premium article looks ahead at anticipated Medicare and CPT-related coding changes that could affect physician offices in 2019 and beyond. It focuses on how practices may respond to documentation revisions, the uptake of remote internet, phone, and device-based services, and the direction of E/M code restructuring. The piece is aimed at physicians, practice administrators, coders, and billing professionals who want to understand what is changing, what may have limited impact, and what broader policy trends are being discussed by CMS, AMA, and related organizations.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers gauge whether upcoming E/M and remote monitoring changes are likely to affect workflow, documentation burden, and coding adoption. It is especially relevant for practices planning EHR updates, evaluating new Medicare services, and monitoring future E/M policy developments.
Article Sections
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E/M documentation revisions and practice response
Discusses anticipated documentation tweaks for office visits and how medical practices may react to them. It also addresses workflow considerations and the limited perceived impact on day-to-day charting.
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Survey feedback and implementation concerns
Summarizes survey responses and expert commentary about whether practices plan to adopt the documentation changes. It highlights concerns involving EHR workflows, training, and maintaining existing internal processes.
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Remote internet, phone, and device service codes
Covers Medicare's newer remote service and consultation categories and their expected early adoption patterns. The section also discusses general factors that may influence uptake, including technology readiness and vendor support.
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Future of E/M code structure
Examines anticipated shifts in the broader E/M code framework and the timing of possible future proposals. It references ongoing work by national organizations and expected rulemaking milestones.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames pending E/M documentation revisions for physician practices
- What broad factors may affect adoption of new remote service and monitoring-related codes
- How stakeholders are discussing possible future changes to office/outpatient E/M structure
- Which organizations and policy processes are influencing the direction of E/M coding
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Medical practice administrators
- Professional coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance staff
- Health care consultants
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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