What type of services do E/M codes represent?

E/M codes represent services that focus specifically on patient evaluation and management. These codes are used to document and bill for encounters that involve assessing a patient's condition, discussing their medical history, and formulating a treatment plan. This includes office visits, consultations, and other face-to-face interactions between healthcare providers and patients where the primary goal is to evaluate and manage the patient's health issues.

These codes reflect the complexity and nature of the interaction by taking into account factors such as the patient's medical history, the extent of the examination, the medical decision-making involved, and the time spent on the encounter. The emphasis on evaluating and managing patients distinguishes E/M codes from other coding types, such as those for laboratory testing, injury assessments, or surgical procedures, which have different focuses and coding criteria.