Major changes are coming in E/M coding starting 2021. From 1/1/2021, 99201 will be deleted. Determination factors of levels of E/M code will drastically change as well. Guidelines for choosing the level of code will be more sensible and easy to follow. E/M codes will be chosen based on level of Medical Decision Making or Total Time Spent. Providers will no longer have to count different elements of the exam. This will reduce errors in up-coding or down-coding. Best news of all, fees for E/M codes will greatly increase, according to CMS.
E/M codes, starting January 1, 2021
New Patient Codes Established Patient Codes
99202 99212
99203 99213
99204 99214
99205 99215