Office visit CPT code 99201, 99202, 99203, 99204, 99205 - Requirments

CPT codes and requirements

99201 - 10 minutes (average)

• Problem focused history. Documentation needed:
• Chief complaint
• Brief history of present illness
• Problem focused examination. Documentation needed:
• Limited examination of the affected body area or organ system
• Medical decision making that is straightforward. Documentation needed (2 of 3 below must be met or exceeded):
• Minimal number of diagnoses or management options
• None or minimal amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed
• Minimal risk of significant complications, morbidity and/or mortality


99202 - 20 minutes (average)

• Expanded problem focused history. Documentation needed:
• Chief complaint
• Brief history of present illness
• Problem pertinent review of systems
• Expanded problem focused examination. Documentation needed:
• Limited examination of the affected body area or organ system and any other symptomatic or related body area(s) or organ system(s)
• Medical decision making that is straightforward. Documentation needed (2 of 3 below must be met or exceeded):
• Minimal number of diagnoses or management options
• None or minimal amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed
• Minimal risk of significant complications, morbidity and/or mortality


99203 - 30 minutes (average)
• Detailed history. Documentation needed:
• Chief complaint
• Extended history of present illness
• Extended review of systems
• Pertinent past, family and/or social history
• Detailed examination. Documentation needed:
• Extended examination of the affected body area(s) or organ system(s) and any other symptomatic or related body area(s) or organ system(s)
• Medical decision making that is of low complexity. Documentation needed (2 of 3 below must be met or exceeded):
• Limited number of diagnoses or management options
• Limited amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed
• Low risk of significant complications, morbidity and/or mortality


99204 - 45 minutes (average)
• Comprehensive history. Documentation needed:
• Chief complaint
• Extended history of present illness
• Complete review of systems
• Complete past, family and/or social history
• Comprehensive examination. Documentation needed:
• A general multi-system examination OR complete examination of single organ system and other symptomatic or related body area(s) or 8 or more organ system(s)
• Medical decision making that is of moderate complexity. Documentation needed (2 of 3 below must be met or exceeded):
• Multiple number of diagnoses or management options
• Moderate amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed
• Moderate risk of significant complications, morbidity and/or mortality


99205 - 60 minutes (average)

• Comprehensive history. Documentation needed:
• Chief complaint
• Extended history of present illness
• Complete review of systems
• Complete past, family and/or social history
• Comprehensive examination. Documentation needed:
• A general multi-system examination OR complete examination of single organ system and other symptomatic or related body area(s) or 8 or more organ system(s)
• Medical decision making that is of high complexity. Documentation needed (2 of 3 below must be met or exceeded):
• Extensive number of diagnoses or management options
• Extensive amount and/or complexity of data to be reviewed
• High risk of significant complications, morbidity and/or mortality