Advance Care Planning: Learn the ABCs of Using the ACP Codes in the ED Setting

Why This Topic Matters

Advance care planning can intersect with emergency department evaluation and management services, and billing requirements may vary depending on the circumstances of the encounter. Understanding the CMS and CPT framework helps organizations evaluate when the service is reportable and what documentation and participation issues may be relevant.

Article Sections

1. CMS guidance and CPT advance care planning services

   Introduces the CMS FAQ update and the broader advance care planning topic in relation to Medicare billing guidance. It also identifies the general policy sources discussed in the article.

2. Reporting ACP in the ED setting

   Discusses how the article frames advance care planning reporting in emergency department contexts, including the general relationship to other E/M services and time-based reporting considerations.

3. Documentation requirements

   Summarizes the documentation topics addressed by the article, including what CMS points practitioners toward for Medicare recordkeeping expectations.

4. Who can perform ACP services

   Covers the types of practitioners and team arrangements mentioned in the article and the Medicare framework referenced for service performance.

5. Beneficiary presence and family discussions

   Explains the article’s discussion of beneficiary participation, family or surrogate involvement, and related voluntary encounter considerations.

6. Additional CMS resources

   Lists the CMS policy resources and related Medicare materials referenced for readers seeking further guidance.