Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

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 review and approval. Therefore, 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 Thompson for a final decision. In the meantime, physicians and coders should continue to observe the current E/M documentation standards.