The patient visits are the foundation for most physician’s practices. The E/M codes were designed to classify services provided by physicians in evaluating and managing patient’s medical care. E/M codes are categorized according to location and/or type of service provided for example, office, outpatient, consultation, emergency department. Within these categories, the codes are then subdivided according to new vs established patient. Within these categories, the codes are then listed based on the key components of service provided.
The different level of care or complexity for E/M services is based on three “key” components: History, physical Exams, Medical Decision-making. However, there are six used in defining the levels of E/M services.