News You Can Use: Prepare for Big CPT® E/M Changes Heading Your Way

Why This Topic Matters

These updates affect how E/M services are documented, interpreted, and prepared for in workflows and electronic health records. Understanding the scope of the pending revisions helps coding teams plan training and monitor future official guidance.

Article Sections

1. Overview of upcoming E/M revisions

   Introduces the general context for anticipated changes to evaluation and management services and the timing discussed in the article.

2. Deletion of 99201

   Covers the planned removal of a specific office and outpatient visit code for new patients.

3. History, exam components, and MDM revisions

   Discusses proposed changes to how office and outpatient E/M levels are supported by documentation elements and medical decision-making terminology.

4. Time-based selection changes

   Summarizes the shift toward revised encounter-time language and the broader implications for time-based reporting.

5. Guideline restructuring

   Describes the planned reorganization of E/M guidelines into distinct sections for different service categories.

6. Coding caution and preparation

   Notes that the changes were still pending finalization and highlights the need for education, documentation review, and monitoring of official updates.