CPT COdes E/M same/diff Day

Codes for Same Day Stay (less than 8 hours)

99221-99223, reported when the patient is admitted and discharged on the same calendar date with a total stay of less than 8 hours.

Codes for Same Day Admission and Discharge (8 or more hours)

99234-99236, used when the patient is admitted and discharged on the same calendar date with a total stay of 8 hours or more.

Discharge codes not reported for same day stays

99238 and 99239 are not reported in cases of same day admission and discharge, regardless of length.

Admission and Discharge on Different Dates (8 hours or more)

Use codes 99221-99223 for admission and 99238 or 99239 for discharge when the initial date is different from the discharge date and the stay is 8 hours or more.

Admission and Discharge on Different Dates (less than 8 hours)

Use only 99221-99223 for admission when the initial date is different from the discharge date and the stay is less than 8 hours.

Length of Stay for Same Day Admission

If a patient stays less than 8 hours on the same calendar date, use codes 99221-99223.

Two separate visits required for same day admission and discharge (8 or more hours)

Codes 99234-99236 require two separate face-to-face visits by the same provider, one for admission and one for discharge.

Implication of time disputes in coding

Exercises and quiz questions in the training material are designed to be clear to avoid second-guessing the length of stay.

Finding discharge codes for day-stay admissions

Only use discharge codes 99238 or 99239 on different calendar dates based on time spent on discharge.