HCPro, JustCoding Outpatient - 2018 Issue 15 (April)
Healthcare News: Stakeholders urge CMS to eliminate inconsistencies in E/M reporting
April 6th, 2018
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Article Overview
This news item covers a CMS listening session on possible revisions to evaluation and management (E/M) documentation guidelines within the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule process. It is relevant to coders, billers, compliance staff, and practice leaders who follow E/M reporting policy, documentation expectations, and payer consistency issues. The article focuses on the broad themes raised by commenters, including documentation standards, electronic health record use, team-based care, and future rulemaking timelines.
Why This Topic Matters
E/M documentation policy affects how office and other evaluation services are recorded, reported, and reviewed under Medicare and related payer policies. Understanding the areas under discussion helps organizations monitor upcoming rule changes and prepare for potential shifts in documentation expectations.
Article Sections
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CMS listening session and policy background
Introduces the CMS session and the broader context for reviewing evaluation and management documentation guidance. It also references the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rulemaking process and the role of stakeholder input.
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Stakeholder suggestions for guideline revisions
Summarizes the main themes raised by attendees about documentation policy, payer consistency, electronic health record use, team-based care, and the structure of evaluation and management levels. It also notes the timing for possible consideration in future rulemaking.
What You Will Learn
- What the CMS listening session was about
- Why stakeholders are asking for updates to E/M documentation guidance
- Which broad policy themes were raised during the discussion
- How the topic connects to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rulemaking
- When the ideas may be considered in future proposed rules
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Revenue cycle teams
- Physician practices
- Practice administrators
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