Part B Coding Coach: Add This E/M Overview to Your Resources

Why This Topic Matters

These E/M updates affect how office and outpatient visits are documented, reviewed, and selected for reporting. Understanding the scope of the changes helps coding professionals stay current with revised documentation expectations and level selection framework.

Article Sections

1. Introduction

   A brief overview of the 2021 office and outpatient E/M update cycle and why it is being revisited.

2. Demise of 99201

   A discussion of the removal of one established office/outpatient E/M code and the surrounding rationale at a high level.

3. Expanded Roles for Time and MDM

   A summary of how visit level selection now emphasizes time and medical decision-making for office/outpatient E/M services.

4. Know These Details on New E/M Descriptors

   An overview of how the remaining office/outpatient E/M descriptors were revised and how history and examination are presented in the new framework.