CPMA Evaluation and Management (E/M) Practice Exam

Initial hospital care codes are used for the first evaluation and management encounter when a patient is admitted to the hospital. They capture the physician’s or qualified professional’s initial assessment and the plan of care for an inpatient stay. The range 99221-99223 specifically covers this initial inpatient admission, with 99221 for lower severity, 99222 for moderate, and 99223 for higher complexity or risk at the time of admission. This set is distinct from codes used for subsequent hospital care (the ongoing inpatient visits after the first admission), outpatient office or other outpatient encounters, and prolonged services without direct patient contact. So, for the initial inpatient admission, the appropriate CPT codes are 99221-99223.