Medical Coding Interview Q&A: Outpatient & Inpatient E/M Code Selection

So today's topic is about medical coding interview questions and answers both for certified and non-certified pressures

and is exclusively for ENM OP and IP specialtity. First question tell me how do you select an outpatient ENM code? So

the appropriate answer is outpatient ENM codes are selected based on the medical decision making that is MDM or time. MDM

has three elements. One number and complexity of problems. Two amount and complexity of data to be reviewed and

analyzed. And third risk of complication or morbidity. The level is selected based

on two out of these three elements. This is the correct answer for this question. Second, what is the difference between

outpatient and inpatient ENM? Outpatient ENM is for same day visits without admissions whereas inpatient ENM applies

when the patient is admitted and stays overnight and it includes admission daily progress notes and discharge

services. Third or history and exam mandatory for selection? The answer is no. From 2021 onwards, history and exam

are medically appropriate but not determining factors. So the code selection is based only on MDM or total

time. When do you use time based ENM coding? So the answer is when total provider time is clearly documented

we can select the ENM level based on time instead of AMDM and the time should includes both facetoface and

non-faceto-face activities performed on the same date and it should be clearly documented in the medical record. Next,

who is considered a new patient? The answer is a new patient is a patient who has not received any professional

services from the same provider who belongs to the same specialtity and subsp specialtity

within the past 3 years. Next question, what CPD range is used for inpatient admission? So for inpatient admission we

are using 9922 to 1 to 992 to3 ranges right. So you have to tell like for admission we have to use the code ranges

from 99221 to 99223 based on the MDM or time. Next question. How do you code daily inatient visits?

So the answer is subsequent visits are build using the code ranges from 99231 to 99233

and were selected based on the level of MDM. This is the appropriate answer. So the daily inpatient visit is a clue term

for subsequent hospital care. How will you code hospital discharge visits? Discharge services are time based. We

have two codes for discharge services that is 99238 and 99239.

99238 is for 30 minutes or less and 99239 is for more than 30 minutes of discharge time. The interviewer is

asking like I'll give you a scenario. A patient

comes for hypertension and diabetes followup labs reviewed medications adjusted and

the risk is moderate risk. What is the ENM code? So you have to answer like in this scenario patient came for followup.

So the patient is an established patient and the risk is moderate and we have two or more chronic conditions. So the MDM

is moderate MDM. So the correct code is 99214. What will you do if documentation is

unclear? I will raise a provider query for clarification to ensure accurate coding. This is the short answer. Okay.

So these are the real interview questions. If you're going for an interview, if you can explain this

clearly, you're not just a fresher on paper. So don't just watch this video and move on. Pause it and practice your

answers loudly and explain it like you are sitting in front of an interviewer. Interviews are not about how many codes

you remember. They are about how confidently you explain your logic.

If you want more real interview questions, denail scenarios and practical coding discussions and comment

below which question you found difficult. I'll explain that one in detail in the next video. Until then,

prepare smart, not hard. your interviews closer.