Understanding E/M: Watch the clock, coding rules for time-based E/M coding in 2021

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand why time tracking matters for office E/M reporting and why incomplete or improper documentation can lead to claim denials, audits, or legal exposure.

Article Sections

1. 2021 office E/M time-based reporting changes

   Introduces the upcoming office E/M update and explains the general move toward time-based selection. It also frames the compliance concerns that follow from the change.

2. Two cautionary cases

   Summarizes enforcement and settlement examples that illustrate the risks associated with unsupported time reporting. The section connects legal outcomes to documentation scrutiny.

3. Typical time out for office visits

   Explains the role of typical time in E/M descriptors and contrasts it with the new office visit approach. It also identifies the office visit code groups discussed in the article.

4. Check the time, and activities

   Reviews the visit time ranges and the broad categories of work that may be included in total time. An example is used to show how multiple activities can add up to a visit total.

5. Watch possible timing errors

   Lists common documentation and coding problems that can affect time-based E/M reporting. The section focuses on timing, staff time, and overlapping service concerns.