E/M Basics: Observation Codes Differ Greatly, CMS Reminds Practices

Why This Topic Matters

Observation and hospital care billing can be easy to miscode when the patient moves between the ED, observation, and discharge on different timelines. This guidance helps practices recognize the major CMS reminders and find the article relevant when reviewing documentation and claim setup for inpatient-adjacent E/M services.

Article Sections

1. MLN Matters provides guidance on observation and hospital care coding

   Introduces the CMS update and frames the article as a reminder about observation services and hospital care E/M billing. It sets up the general areas covered by the guidance.

2. Three quick tips for billing observation care services

   Summarizes broad reminders about patient status, observation stay timing, and documentation-based service level selection. The section also discusses related hospital discharge considerations.