E/M utilization soared and denials fell after consult elimination

Why This Topic Matters

It helps readers understand how a major CMS policy change altered E/M billing patterns and denial trends, which is relevant for coding analysis, utilization monitoring, and payer behavior review.

Article Sections

1. E/M analysis

   Overview of Medicare E/M utilization and denial trends surrounding the consult code change, including office and hospital service categories and broader billing patterns.

2. Higher code levels

   Discussion of the general movement toward higher-level E/M reporting across selected service categories and how that trend compares with earlier years.