Advanced Search

Neurosurgery Coding Alert

News Brief:

No More E/M Documentation Guidelines?

Published on Thu Aug 01, 2002

Recently, the AMA announced on its Web site that on May 16, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson's Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform voted 20-1 to recommend eliminating documentation guidelines for E/M services. According to the announcement, "The AMA has repeatedly informed the Department and the Regulatory Relief Advisory Committee that physicians identify E/M documentation guidelines as the single largest paperwork burden imposed by the Medicare program."

The Advisory Committee's recommendation will proceed to Secretary Thompson for a final decision. In the meantime, physicians and coders should continue to observe the current E/M documentation standards. Look to future editions of your Coding Alert newsletter for more information on this important issue as it becomes available.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles in this issue of

Neurosurgery Coding Alert

View All