Evaluation and management coding support available

On Jan. 1, 2021, new rules went into effect for evaluation and management (E&M) codes for new and established patient visits that take place in outpatient hospital settings and in clinics.

Using Codeman Feature for E&M Codes

Use Vanderbilt’s Codeman application or Epic’s updated Level of Service (LOS) Calculator to help you identify the correct level of service codes based on these new guidelines. See Tip Sheet in Hubbl: “Using Codeman and the LOS Calculator to Select E-M Codes.” 

Caveat: Time in Chart Calculation
Please note that the "time in chart" calculation is based on the amount of time the chart is open, not necessarily the time spent working in the chart. This means that if a VDI session is discontinued without closing the patient's chart, the time calculation will be inaccurate. Users should close the patient's chart before leaving a VDI session. 

Code for Prolonged Office Visit
Code 99417, used for a prolonged office visit, should be added in the Charge Capture section of the Wrap Up Activity. Providers add this code when they need to account for time that is beyond CPT code 99205 or 99215. See Tip Sheet in Hubbl: “Adding Code 99417 to an Outpatient Encounter.”