CPT® 2021: Answer 3 Questions to Test Your E/M 2021 Coding Preparedness

Why This Topic Matters

Understanding the 2021 E/M update is important because it affects how common outpatient visits are reported and documented. The article helps readers orient themselves to the revised framework and the supporting guidance so they can assess readiness for the new requirements.

Article Sections

1. Question 1: Which Codes are Impacted?

   Introduces the outpatient E/M code family affected by the 2021 update and frames the main categories of changes being reviewed.

2. Answer 1: Just Office or Other Outpatient

   Summarizes which outpatient E/M codes are within scope, along with the broad types of revisions, deletions, and additions discussed in the article.

3. Question 2: How Does ‘Time’ Change in 2021?

   Focuses on the role of time in selecting office or other outpatient E/M services and the reporting of extended visits.

4. Answer 2: All of the Above

   Explains the broader time-based reporting framework for outpatient E/M services and introduces the new add-on service discussed in the article.

5. Question 3: Should We Use 95 or 97 Documentation Guidelines?

   Raises the issue of documentation guidance and how practitioners should think about the older E/M guideline resources in light of the 2021 changes.

6. Answer 3: Maybe Just CPT® Guidelines

   Discusses the CPT® guidance framework and its relationship to documentation expectations for the updated outpatient E/M services.