The clock is ticking on
big changes to E/M office visit codes, and the smart play is to start preparing as soon as possible.
That's according to officials from the American Medical Association (AMA), which spearheaded the Jan. 1, 2021-effective changes to codes 99202-99215, during a March 12 webinar.
"A lot of people think they should wait until the final rule," said Zach Hochstetler, AMA's director of CPT editorial and regulatory services, in reference to the 2021 final physician fee schedule, expected out in November of this year.
"I don't want to speak for CMS, but we know this is a high priority for the agency," Hochstetler added. In November 2019, CMS approved the AMA's proposed update to the E/M office visit documentation guidelines, which reforms the criteria by which a reporting provider must meet to make the appriopriate level of code selection. The new guidelines will allow providers to select the level of an E/M service based on medical decision-making (MDM) or time.
While transforming how providers document and report E/M services has been in the spotlight for several years running, hesitation appears to remain among medical groups, clinics and other parties in accepting the 2021 launch. That CMS approved the changes more than a year in advance of their implementation may be contributing to the slow embrace.
"We're done early for the express purpose of getting ready," Hochstetler said in reference to the 2020 physician fee schedule rulemaking period that confirmed the 2021 udpate.
"We are encouraging everyone to adopt these changes now," Hochstetler added.
During the overview, AMA officials announced that they plan to launch a suite of educational and training materials ahead of the launch date, including web-based tools, noted Tom Giannulli, M.D., MS, chief medical information officer with the AMA.
You can find additional information about the 2021 changes below.
Articles:
Guides and Training: