The CPT(R) E/M (Evaluation and Management) codes for office visits will undergo significant changes in the 2021 code set year. To help healthcare professionals understand and adapt to these changes, the E/M Office Visit Compendium 2021 offers a range of valuable resources. These include curated content that explains the modifications, practical tools to aid in preparation for the new codes, and coding resources based on either time or medical decision-making. The compendium also provides insights into which method is appropriate for different visit scenarios.

Implementing these changes is expected to alleviate the burden of physician documentation. However, the success of this endeavor relies on the proper coding and documentation by coders, billers, physicians, and other stakeholders. It is crucial to accurately document and code in order to bill correctly under the new system and achieve a reduction in administrative burden.

The impact of these changes extends to a $25 billion reduction in Medicare Part B Spend and affects every medical specialty. This marks the first alteration to E/M coding in 26 years and aims to focus office visit time on relevant medical topics.

To support healthcare professionals in navigating these changes, the E/M Office Visit Compendium 2021 offers various features and benefits. It includes top resources from authoritative AMA CPT(R) publications, providing a comprehensive understanding of the code changes. The compendium offers simplified logic for coding based on medical decision-making or time, along with links to digital resources and highlights from those resources. Additionally, it provides an overview video on the E/M Office Visit Change from the 2020 AMA CPT(R) Symposium, eLearning modules on the AMA Ed Hub, expert commentary, and insightful answers to industry questions from resources such as CPT(R) Assistant and CPT(R) Knowledge Base.

The compendium also offers use cases that apply coding logic to real-world scenarios, quick reference tools, a new risk table for medical decision-making, a listing of activities that count towards time, infographics, tables, typical patient descriptions, and detailed explanations of revisions to the E/M Services Guidelines. These resources aim to facilitate a smooth transition to the new coding system and ensure accurate billing and documentation.

See also :