General Surgery Coding Alert - 2023 Issue 3
Reader Questions: Don’t Double Dip on E/M Time Count
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Article Overview
This brief reader Q&A discusses CPT evaluation and management time reporting and the kinds of time that should be excluded when determining a service level. It is aimed at coders, billers, and clinical documentation staff who work with office and outpatient E/M reporting, teaching settings, and shared or split encounters. The article focuses on general guidance about excluded time categories and the need to avoid counting the same encounter time more than once.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding which activities are not counted toward E/M time helps reduce coding errors and supports consistent reporting of time-based services.
What You Will Learn
- Which broad categories of time are excluded from E/M time counting
- How time-based E/M reporting applies in shared or split encounters
- Why separately reported services and certain teaching-related activities matter for time totals
- How to avoid counting the same encounter time more than once
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Medical billers
- Practice staff
- Compliance staff
- Clinicians who document E/M services
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