Specialty Spotlight: Get to the Heart of the E/M Transition

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps cardiology practices distinguish between pre-2021 and 2021 office/outpatient E/M rules so they can reduce errors during the transition period. It is especially relevant for teams handling established and new patient visits, documentation review, and coding education.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the E/M transition for cardiology

   Introduces the shift in office/outpatient E/M guidance and why cardiology practices may encounter mixed-year coding workflows. It also notes that the article centers on common pitfalls and practice scenarios.

2. Mistake 1: Using history, examination, and medical decision making to level 99202-99215 in 2021

   Explains that the article discusses the move away from the prior three-component leveling approach for the affected office/outpatient codes. It also notes the continued role of documentation in the medical record.

3. Mistake 2: Applying the new 2021 guidelines to all E/M codes

   Covers which encounter categories fall within the article’s scope and which do not. The section contrasts office/outpatient visits with other settings referenced in the discussion.

4. Mistake 3: Counting only face-to-face time for 99202-99215 in 2021

   Addresses the article’s discussion of the revised time concept for the affected codes. It summarizes the kinds of work the article says may be considered when time-based coding is used.

5. Mistake 4: Not understanding revised MDM elements

   Introduces the article’s overview of the updated medical decision-making table and its broad elements. It also notes that the article distinguishes this framework from code 99211.

6. Scenario 1: Solve this example based on time

   Provides a cardiology office example illustrating the article’s time-based application within the transition topic. The section is presented as a practice scenario followed by a coding outcome discussion.

7. Scenario 2: Solve this example based on MDM

   Provides a second cardiology example focused on medical decision-making in an office setting. The section walks through a practice note and the article’s general explanation of how the encounter is assessed.