Coding Updates: Find Out Which 2023 Code Changes Affect Office/ Outpatient Consultations

Why This Topic Matters

These updates affect how consultation services are documented and reported in 2023, making it important for practices to align coding workflows, documentation practices, and payer review processes with the revised CPT E/M framework.

Article Sections

1. See What’s New in Consultation Section Guidelines

   This section reviews the revised consultation guideline language for 2023 and describes broad changes to places of service and reporting expectations in office and outpatient settings.

2. Mandatory modifier

   This section discusses the required consultation modifier referenced in the 2023 guidance and notes the article’s general discussion of payer-requested consultations.

3. Focus on Revised Office/Outpatient Consultation Codes

   This section introduces the updated office and outpatient consultation code set for 2023, including time-based selection concepts and prolonged-services reporting at a high level.

4. Choose the Correct Consultation Code via Time or MDM

   This section explains the overall shift to documenting consultation services by either time or medical decision making and discusses documentation and payer-related considerations.