Primary Care Coding Alert

Heads up: 2013 also brings time assignments to some codes.Get ready for E/M coding changes when Jan. 1, 2013 arrives, when CPT® introduces revisions to virtually every code descriptor in the E/M section. Think Beyond 'Physician' for Most Services Most current E/M service descriptors apply to "physicians" and "providers." That latter terminology will change to "qualified health care professionals," effective Jan. 1. Consider this example, with deleted text indicated with strikethroughs and new text indicated with underlining: 99213 -- Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires at least 2 of these 3 key components: An expanded problem focused history; An expanded problem focused examination; Medical decision making of low complexity. Counseling and coordination of care with other physicians, other providers qualified health care professionals, or agencies are provided consistent with the nature of the problem(s) and the patient's and/or family's needs. Usually, [...]