E/M payments, documentation changes move a step closer to reality

Why This Topic Matters

It helps readers understand which evaluation and management updates are approaching, how CMS is framing the transition, and why specialty payment patterns may change under the revised fee schedule.

Article Sections

1. Documentation changes

   Covers the revised focus of office/outpatient evaluation and management documentation and the general timing of the new standards.

2. Code deletion

   Summarizes the removal of a new-patient office visit code from the set of billable services beginning with the new rule year.

3. Revised documentation standards

   Discusses updated CPT interpretive guidance and supporting tables referenced by CMS for office/outpatient evaluation and management coding.

4. Add-on code approved

   Describes approval of an additional office visit-related code intended to support payment adjustments under the revised fee schedule.

5. Prolonged service code approved

   Summarizes the approval of a prolonged service reporting code associated with office/outpatient evaluation and management visits.

6. 2021 payments: Risers and fallers

   Reviews the expected budget-neutral payment shifts across specialties and CMS commentary on the broader redistribution of payment under the updated valuations.

7. The future of MDM

   Addresses possible future refinement of medical decision-making guidance and the implementation lead time discussed by CMS.