Where are evaluation and management codes found in the CPT manual?

Evaluation and management codes are specifically categorized within the Evaluation and Management (E/M) section of the CPT manual. This section focuses on the various levels of patient encounters, both new and established, across different healthcare providers. It encompasses a wide range of services, including office visits, hospital visits, consultations, and other related evaluations that health care professionals provide to assess a patient's condition and determine appropriate care.

The E/M section details the criteria for coding based on the complexity of the visit, the time spent, and the type of service rendered, ensuring that healthcare providers can accurately document the medical necessity for their work. This systematic classification is essential for reimbursement purposes, as different levels of service correspond to varying compensation rates.

Understanding that E/M codes reside in their dedicated section clarifies their unique role in the overall coding structure, distinguishing them from surgical, diagnostic, or pharmacy-related codes, which serve different purposes within the healthcare coding system.