What is the purpose of the Evaluation and Management (E/M) section in CPT?

The Evaluation and Management (E/M) section in CPT is designed specifically to provide codes for physician-patient encounters that assess and manage a patient's health. This section encompasses various types of visits and consultations, including new patient visits, established patient visits, telehealth services, and preventive medicine visits, among others.

The codes within the E/M section are structured to correspond with the complexity of the visit, the number of problems addressed, the amount of decision-making required, and the time spent with the patient. By categorizing these encounters, the E/M section ensures that healthcare providers can accurately document and bill for the services rendered during patient visits that focus on evaluation, management, and overall patient care.

This approach supports effective communication between healthcare providers and insurers, helping to establish the necessity and appropriateness of the services provided. It also plays a critical role in quality patient care, allowing physicians to tailor their services to each patient's needs based on their health assessments.