What are the codes in the range of 99201-99205 used for?

• A. Telehealth consultations.
• B. Office or outpatient visits for new patients.
• C. Follow-up visits for established patients.
• D. Home health visits.

Answer: (B)

The range of codes from 99201 to 99205 is designated for office or outpatient visits for new patients. These codes are part of the Evaluation and Management (E/M) coding system used to report services provided by healthcare providers to patients in a non-facility setting.

Each of these codes within the specified range corresponds to different levels of complexity and time associated with the visit, acknowledging factors such as the extent of the patient's history, examination, and medical decision-making. Specifically, these codes are used to indicate that the patient being seen is a new patient, which is critical for various factors, including coding for reimbursement and understanding the patient’s treatment journey.

In contrast, telehealth consultations, follow-up visits for established patients, and home health visits are categorized under different coding ranges or guidelines, and thus do not utilize these particular codes.