Effective January 2021, the CPT guidelines for office and outpatient evaluation and management codes (99202-99215) and prolonged services (ie.99354-99356) will change.

The changes only affect office outpatient codes. Observation and inpatient codes remain unchanged. Additional changes you can expect in 2021 include: 

• CPT guidelines for 1995 or 1997 are no longer used for code selection
• The requirement to define 3 components for new patient will be removed
• Code description: Remove language such as "expanded problem focused history", "expanded problem focused examination” and replaced with “medically appropriate history and/or exam".
• New term descriptors for medical decision making are found in the introduction of the CPT manual.
• Level determined can based on medical decision making or total face-to-face and non-face-to-face time spent by a Qualified Health Professional.
• Evaluation and management modifier use and editing does not change.
• CPT code 99201 has been deleted and will no longer be used.