General Surgery Coding Alert - 2005 Issue 10
AUDITS: Look For Signs Of MDM Thought Process
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Article Overview
This article is aimed at coding, compliance, and audit professionals who review evaluation and management documentation. It focuses on broad strategies for identifying whether the medical decision-making portion of the record reflects the physician’s thought process, including how complexity may be supported by the chart, how documentation style can affect audit defensibility, and what kinds of record details may prompt follow-up clarification.
Why This Topic Matters
Medical decision-making is a major factor in supporting E/M level selection, and incomplete documentation can put claims at risk during audit review. Understanding how to spot documentation that reflects clinical reasoning helps reviewers assess whether the record supports the reported service.
Article Sections
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7 tips to boost your E/M levels and improve documentation
Introduces practical documentation topics related to evaluation and management services and audit review. The section frames the article around improving support for medical decision-making in the record.
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Seven documentation tips for supporting MDM
Presents several broad documentation themes tied to medical decision-making, including complexity factors, tests and medications, narrative detail, medical necessity, and clarification of sparse charting. The guidance is framed for auditors and coders reviewing E/M documentation.
What You Will Learn
- How auditors and coders look for evidence of medical decision-making in E/M documentation
- Which kinds of chart details may help support complexity in the record
- Why narrative documentation can matter when reviewing higher-level visits
- How to recognize when documentation may need clarification before level assignment
- General audit-focused considerations for evaluating medical necessity and clinical reasoning
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Compliance professionals
- HIM professionals
- Physicians
- Clinical documentation staff
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