Question

When assigning evaluation and management codes for hospital outpatient services, the coder should follow?

1) The official coding guidelines provided by the American Medical Association (AMA)
2) The hospital's internal coding policies
3) The Medicare guidelines for outpatient services
4) The coder's personal preference

Answer 1

When assigning evaluation and management codes for hospital outpatient services, coders should follow the official coding guidelines provided by the AMA, the Medicare guidelines for outpatient services, and the hospital's internal coding policies.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assigning evaluation and management codes for hospital outpatient services, the coder should follow the official coding guidelines provided by the American Medical Association (AMA), the Medicare guidelines for outpatient services, and the hospital's internal coding policies. The coder should not rely on their personal preference when assigning these codes. These guidelines and policies ensure that the codes assigned accurately reflect the services provided and comply with billing requirements and regulations.