Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Patient Scheduling • Point of Care • Clinical Integration

E/M Codes

Term from Medical Practice industry explained for recruiters

E/M Codes, or Evaluation and Management Codes, are a system used by medical practices to document and bill for patient visits. Think of them as standardized labels that describe how complex a patient visit was and what services the healthcare provider performed. These codes help determine how much insurance companies should pay for visits and are crucial for medical billing. Similar to how a restaurant menu has different prices for different meals, E/M codes have different levels based on how much time and expertise a visit required. Understanding these codes is essential for medical billing specialists, practice managers, and healthcare administrators.

Examples in Resumes

Achieved 98% accuracy rate in assigning E/M Codes for a busy family practice

Trained staff of 15 medical billers on proper E/M Code documentation and compliance

Conducted monthly audits of Evaluation and Management Codes to ensure billing accuracy

Implemented new guidelines for E/M coding resulting in 25% reduction in claim denials

Typical job title: "Medical Coders"

Also try searching for:

Medical Biller Medical Coding Specialist Healthcare Coding Specialist Medical Records Specialist Medical Billing Coordinator Coding Compliance Specialist

Where to Find Medical Coders

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Online Communities

• Medical Coding Groups on LinkedIn
• Reddit r/MedicalCoding

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a situation where physicians consistently under-document their E/M services?

Expected Answer: A senior coder should discuss creating education programs for providers, implementing documentation templates, regular chart audits, and working with compliance teams to ensure proper documentation while maintaining positive relationships with medical staff.

Q: What strategies would you implement to prevent E/M coding errors across a large practice?

Expected Answer: Should discuss implementing quality control measures, regular staff training, automated coding validation tools, periodic internal audits, and creating clear coding guidelines specific to the practice.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key components of an E/M code, and how do you determine the appropriate level?

Expected Answer: Should explain the three key components: history, examination, and medical decision making, and how time-based coding works. Should be able to explain how these factors determine the level of service.

Q: How do you stay current with E/M coding changes and updates?

Expected Answer: Should mention regular continuing education, professional memberships, attending workshops, following coding newsletters and updates from CMS, and participating in coding forums.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between a new patient E/M code and an established patient E/M code?

Expected Answer: Should explain that new patient codes are used for patients not seen by the practice within 3 years, while established patient codes are for those seen within 3 years, and how documentation requirements differ.

Q: What documentation is required for the lowest level E/M code?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic documentation requirements for problem-focused history and examination, and straightforward medical decision making.