2021 E/M Coding in ExamWRITER
Under the E/M coding and guideline changes that take effect January 1, 2021, Providers may choose to base the E/M level for each patient encounter on medical decision making or total time.
ExamWRITER includes all of the CPT codes needed to bill under both coding methods. To ensure your systems have the latest CPT codes, update your OfficeMate/ExamWRITER software to version 15.3. 4033. However, the Quick Code window has not yet been updated to accurately determine the level of E/M documentation under the new guidelines. Look for an ExamWRITER update that includes a redesigned and updated Quick Code window in early 2021.
If you see patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or similar settings, you may continue to use the current Quick Code window to determine the appropriate E/M level for those encounters.
You will likely need to update your exam templates to accommodate the new coding guidelines.
Billing by Medical Decision Making
There are four levels of MDM: straightforward, low, moderate, and high. To learn more about the elements that contribute to these levels and their associated CPT codes, refer to Understanding E/M Coding Levels.
Print the PDF and refer to it to determine the E/M code level of your exam documentation until the Quick Code window has been updated to address the new guidelines.
Billing by Time
If you choose to bill the visit based on time, follow the instructions below to document the total time within the exam:
- Click the Surgery - Plan - Mgmt tab on the ExamWRITER chart window.
- Click the Patient Management
- The Patient Management window opens.
- Select the Timeline check box and click Process.
- Select the check box that represents the total time spent on the encounter and click Process.
Refer to the table below to determine the appropriate code to select in the Coding window.
New Patients | Established Patients | ||
---|---|---|---|
Time (minutes) | Code | Time (minutes) | Code |
— | — | No time set |
99211 (minimal problem) |
15–29 |
99202 |
10–19 |
99212 |
30–44 |
99203 |
20–29 |
99213 |
45–59 |
99204 |
30–39 |
99214 |
60–74 |
99205 |
40–54 | 99215 |
>75 |
99417 ×1 for each additional 15 minutes |
>55 |
99417 ×1 for each additional 15 minutes |
Finding Additional Information
This section also includes the following topics: