What is the difference between a CPT code and an EM code?

Asked by: Alvina Quigley  |  Last update: October 6, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (37 votes)

Evaluation and management (E/M) coding is the use of CPT® codes from the range 99202-99499 to represent services provided by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. As the name E/M indicates, these medical codes apply to visits and services that involve evaluating and managing patient health.

What CPT codes are considered E&M?

E&M coding involves use of CPT codes ranging from 99202 to 99499. These represent services by a physician (or other health care professional) in which the provider is either evaluating or managing a patient's health.

When can you bill an EM with a procedure?

CPT and Medicare reimbursement rules allow the reporting of an E/M service when the service is either a significant, separate service or leads to the decision to operate or perform a procedure.

What are the two types of CPT codes?

There are various types of CPT codes:
  • Category I: These codes have descriptors that correspond to a procedure or service. ...
  • Category II: These alphanumeric tracking codes are supplemental codes used for performance measurement.

Is CPT 99232 an E&M code?

Additional/Related Information. The provider sees a patient for a subsequent hospital inpatient or observation care visit involving evaluation and management (E/M). The visit involves a moderate level of medical decision making or the provider spends at least 35 minutes of total time on the encounter on a single date.

How to Code Evaluation and Management Part 1 - E&M Guidelines for 2023

30 related questions found

What is a CPT code?

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes provide a uniform nomenclature for coding medical procedures and services. Medical CPT codes are critical to streamlining reporting and increasing accuracy and efficiency, as well as for administrative purposes such as claims processing and developing guid.

Is 99213 an E&M code?

99213 CPT Code, representing a moderate-level evaluation and management (E/M) service for established patients, is frequently used in outpatient settings, making it a significant contributor to a practice's revenue stream.

What is the meaning of CPT?

Carriage Paid To (CPT) is an international commercial term (Incoterm) denoting that the seller incurs the risks and costs associated with delivering goods to a carrier to an agreed-upon destination.

What is CPT code 90834?

CPT® code 90834: Psychotherapy, 45 minutes | American Medical Association.

Can you bill 2 E&M codes same day?

Can 2 E&M codes be billed together? Yes, two E&M codes can be billed together if the services provided meet the necessary criteria for each code and are supported by appropriate documentation.

How long is em code 99214?

CPT® code 99214: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes | American Medical Association.

Which services use an E&M code and Cannot be billed separately?

Emergency room E&M CPT codes 99281 thru 99285 and critical care and E&M codes 99291 and 99292 are not separately reimbursable if billed by the same provider for the same recipient and date of service.

Are CPT and EM codes the same?

Evaluation and management (E/M) coding is the use of CPT® codes from the range 99202-99499 to represent services provided by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.

What are the 7 components that must be included with EM codes?

There are seven components contained within Evaluation and Management (E/M) service guidelines: history, exam, medical decision making, counseling, coordination of care, nature of presenting problem, and time. The first three are considered the key components used in selecting the appropriate E/M service code.

Is 90837 an E&M code?

E/M CPT codes do not include a psychotherapy service. CPT Codes 90832-90838 represent psychotherapy. Psychotherapy without medical evaluation and management services are reported as 90832, 90834 and 90837.

What is the difference between CPT code and procedure code?

The ICD-10 procedural coding system (ICD-10-PCS) is used by facilities (e.g., hospital) to code procedures. CPT codes are, and will continue to be, used by physicians (and other providers) to report professional services. The two systems are unique and very different.

What is another name for CPT?

The first publication, in 1966, of the American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) edition of standardized codes and terms was a means to code procedures (mainly surgical) for medical records, insurance claims, and information for statistical purposes.

What is a CPT code example?

Some CPT codes are only used occasionally, and some are not really used at all. Other CPT codes are used frequently. For example, 99213 and 99214 are codes for general office visits, usually to address one or more new concerns or complaints, or to follow up on one or more problems from a previous visit.

What are the 3 categories of CPT?

CPT® Category I: The largest body of codes, consisting of those commonly used by providers to report their services and procedures. CPT® Category II: Supplemental tracking codes used for performance management. CPT® Category III: Temporary codes used to report emerging and experimental services and procedures.

What is the CPT code 99213?

CPT® code 99213: Established patient office visit, 20-29 minutes | American Medical Association.

When would you use a CPT code?

2. CPT Codes or current procedural terminology codes are used to identify procedures or services performed and are maintained by the AMA. 3. HCPCS codes or the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) is used to identify equipment, medication and out-patient services not include in CPT.

What is an E&M code?

Evaluation and management codes, often referred to as E&M codes or E and M codes are a coding system that involve the use of CPT codes from the range 99202 to 99499 which represent services provided by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.

What is the 3 year rule for new patients?

By CPT definition, a new patient is “one who has not received any professional services from the physician, or another physician of the same specialty who belongs to the same group practice, within the past three years.” By contrast, an established patient has received professional services from the physician or ...

What CPT codes are changing for 2024?

Several Category III codes will be converted to Category I codes in the Current Procedural Termi- nology (CPT®) 2024 code set, these include: dorsal sacroiliac (SI) arthrodesis; coronary fractional flow reserve (FFR) with computerized tomography (CT); coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) interventions; ...