Coding for Initial and Subsequent Hospital Encounters

This article reviews the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes and guidelines for selecting appropriate codes for evaluation and management (E/M) services provided to hospital patients in inpatient or observation stays. The following topics are reviewed: Services that are designated as initial or subsequent encounters General differences in requirements of initial and subsequent encounter codes Guidelines for code selection by the admitting or attending physician Guidelines for code selection by physicians other than the admitting or attending physician