Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Descriptor changes likely to improve scope of reporting E/M services.Your gastroenterology practice uses evaluation and management (E/M) codes on a daily basis, so you'll want the skinny on the CPT® 2013 descriptor changes that affect almost every code included in the E/M section.We'll review the changes to both sections so you'll be ready as soon as Jan. 1, 2013 rolls around.Eliminate 'Physician' Limitations From Your E/M ThinkingWhereas most E/M codes previously referred to "physicians" and "providers" in their descriptors that will change effective Jan.1 when the descriptors will instead say "qualified health care professionals."Using 99213 as an example, the code changes are indicated with the strikethroughs (indicating deleted text) and underlining (indicating new text) as follows: Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, which requires at least 2 of these 3 key components: An expanded problem focused history; An expanded problem focused examination; Medical [...]