Code descriptors and documentation guidelines for office and outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) codes are changing effective January 1, 2021. These changes are the result of a multi-year advocacy effort. AAPM&R was one of the participating societies that contributed to the E/M revisions and revaluation.
The new guidelines are expected to reduce documentation burden and make coding selection easier. However, the changes are significant and require action on the part of physicians and their practices. Please note the changes are limited to office and outpatient E/M and do not apply to inpatient or SNF coding.
If you registered for AAPM&R's 2020 virtual Annual Assembly, be sure to watch E/M in 2021 - Tips and Tricks for Coding and Documentation Under the New Guidelines on-demand here. You’ll need your AAPM&R credentials to log in. If you're an AAPM&R member, but didn’t get a chance to register for #AAPMR20, you can access the recording on our Online Learning Portal.
Learn more about how you can prepare for 2021 E/M changes here.