As of January 1, 2021, physicians will select an E/M code based on total time spent on the date of the encounter or medical decision making. Until now all E/M code selection took into account patient history, clinical examination, and medical decision-making. However, evaluation and management codes have now eliminated the history and physical exam as elements for code selection and are primarily based on time.
For new patient exams the time components are as follows:
While established patients time components are as follows:
These new protocols allow the sum of total time related to the encounter on the given date of service. This also allows for non face to face time such as preparing the room, reviewing patients chart, or medical documentation time.
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