How Physicians, Hospitals and Health Systems Should Prepare for the Operational and Financial Impact of 2021 E/M Code Changes

New coding guidelines for the evaluation and management (E/M) visit code are set go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. These are the largest E/M guideline changes since 1997, essentially changing the way physicians document office/outpatient codes 99202-99215. The American Medical Association led the guideline changes with the intent to ease the administrative burden on physicians.

Given the changes in documentation requirements, revisions to codes and the changes to wRVUs, physicians, hospitals and health systems can anticipate workflow and financial implications. I spoke with Craig Joseph, MD, chief medical officer for Nordic Consulting Partners for more insight.