Internal Medicine Coding Alert

CPT Defines Level-four and Level-five Office Visits

The CPT manual requires the following levels of history, examination and medical decision-making for level-four and -five office visits:

Level four:
99204 new patient office or other outpatient visit
a comprehensive history;
a comprehensive examination; and
medical decision-making of moderate complexity

99214 established patient office or other outpatient visit
a detailed history;
a detailed examination; and
medical decision-making of moderate complexity

Level five:
99205 new patient office or other outpatient visit
a comprehensive history;
a comprehensive examination; and
medical decision-making of high complexity

99215 established patient office or other outpatient visit
a comprehensive history;
a comprehensive examination; and
medical decision-making of high complexity.