E/M: 99224-99226 Are Reportable by Treating Physician Only, CMS Says

Not coding for the treating physician? Look to outpatient E/M codes.

In effect for nearly a year now, CPT®'s subsequent observation care codes have been something of a mystery since they were released, but CMS finally ended that by issuing clarifications about how to report these codes.

Pinpoint Services Included in 99224-99226

The codes in focus are:

• 99224, Subsequent observation care, per day, for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires at least 2 of these 3 key components: Problem focused interval history; Problem focused examination; Medical decision making that is straightforward or of low complexity. Counseling and/or coordination of care with [...]
  
  - Published on 2011-11-09