Part B Mythbuster: Don't Buy Into These 3 Common EHR Fallacies

Why This Topic Matters

EHR shortcuts can create documentation gaps or overreliance on automated prompts, which may affect audit risk and the defensibility of E/M claims. Understanding the limits of what an EHR can supply helps practices document more consistently and review coding support more carefully.

Article Sections

1. Myth 1: Exam Documentation Will Carry Over for Follow-Up Visits

   Discusses how EHR documentation may carry forward certain history elements and why follow-up encounter documentation still needs appropriate current-record support. The section focuses on documentation continuity and audit exposure in E/M records.

2. Myth 2: EHR's Calculation of Time Spent Qualifies You to Code Based on Time

   Reviews time tracking within EHR systems and the broader requirements involved in reporting services based on time. The section explains what kinds of encounter documentation are relevant to time-based reporting.

3. Myth 3: You Should Use the EHR's Code Selection in Every Case

   Explores automated EHR code suggestions and the need for clinician review before finalizing an E/M code. The section addresses the relationship between documentation, medical necessity, and code selection support.