Which ED E/M code corresponds to Straightforward medical decision making (MDM)?

Which ED E/M code corresponds to Straightforward medical decision making (MDM)?

• A. 99282
• B. 99283
• C. 99284
• D. 99285

Answer: (A)

In ED coding, how complex the medical decision making is decides the code level. Straightforward MDM means a single simple problem (or a few very simple problems), with minimal data to review and minimal risk of complications or morbidity, and the plan requires only basic management. That level sits at the second tier of ED visit codes—higher than the minimal problem level but lower than the low/moderate/high MDM levels. So, when a patient presents with a straightforward issue, with little data and minimal risk, you use this second-level ED code. If the situation involved more problems, more data, or higher risk, you’d move to higher MDM levels and higher codes.

In ED coding, how complex the medical decision making is decides the code level. Straightforward MDM means a single simple problem (or a few very simple problems), with minimal data to review and minimal risk of complications or morbidity, and the plan requires only basic management. That level sits at the second tier of ED visit codes—higher than the minimal problem level but lower than the low/moderate/high MDM levels. So, when a patient presents with a straightforward issue, with little data and minimal risk, you use this second-level ED code. If the situation involved more problems, more data, or higher risk, you’d move to higher MDM levels and higher codes.