Which statement about E/M code 99201 is accurate?

Which statement about E/M code 99201 is accurate?

• A. It is retired and no longer in use
• B. It is still in common use
• C. It represents a telemedicine encounter
• D. It is used only for pediatric patients

Answer: (A)

99201 used to be the initial, level-1 office visit for a new patient, but it has been retired and is no longer in use. In current CPT guidelines, you report higher-level codes (such as 99202–99205 for new patients) based on the documented history, examination, and medical decision making (or time, for newer guidelines). Telemedicine isn’t specifically tied to this code, and 99201 isn’t a pediatric-only code, nor is it commonly used today. So the statement that it’s retired and no longer in use is the accurate one.

99201 used to be the initial, level-1 office visit for a new patient, but it has been retired and is no longer in use. In current CPT guidelines, you report higher-level codes (such as 99202–99205 for new patients) based on the documented history, examination, and medical decision making (or time, for newer guidelines). Telemedicine isn’t specifically tied to this code, and 99201 isn’t a pediatric-only code, nor is it commonly used today. So the statement that it’s retired and no longer in use is the accurate one.