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This PDF explains the Level of Medical Decision Making (MDM) used in CPT Evaluation and Management (E/M) office visit coding as defined by the American Medical Association (AMA). It describes how the complexity of a patient visit is determined based on three main elements: the number and complexity of problems addressed, the amount and complexity of data reviewed or analyzed, and the risk of complications, morbidity, or mortality related to patient management. The document outlines four levels of MDM—straightforward, low, moderate, and high—and links them to specific CPT codes for new and established patients. It also explains how providers select the appropriate level by meeting two out of three MDM elements, with clear examples of clinical situations, diagnostic data, and treatment decisions that qualify for each level. The PDF reflects revisions effective January 1, 2021, emphasizing risk-based clinical judgment rather than documentation volume.
Main Headings
CPT E/M Office Visit Revisions
Medical Decision Making (MDM)
Elements of MDM
Levels of MDM
CPT Codes for Office Visits
Risk of Patient Management
Data Review and Analysis
2021 CPT Revisions
Topics Covered
Definition of Medical Decision Making
Three elements of MDM
Straightforward, low, moderate, and high MDM
New vs established patient codes
Problem complexity
Diagnostic data review
Risk assessment in patient care
Examples of clinical decision making
Key Points
MDM determines the complexity of a patient visit.
Three elements are used to calculate MDM.
Only 2 out of 3 elements are required to select the level.
Problems can be acute, chronic, stable, or severe.
Data includes tests, documents, and external notes.
Risk considers treatment decisions and possible complications.
Higher MDM levels involve greater patient risk and complexity.
CPT revisions focus on clinical judgment, not note length.
MDM Elements (Important Headings for Notes)
1. Number and Complexity of Problems
Self-limited or minor problems
Stable chronic illness
Acute uncomplicated illness
Chronic illness with exacerbation
Life-threatening conditions
2. Amount and Complexity of Data
Review of external notes
Review of test results
Ordering diagnostic tests
Independent historian
Independent interpretation of tests
Discussion with other healthcare professionals
3. Risk of Patient Management
Minimal risk
Low risk
Moderate risk
High risk
Levels of Medical Decision Making
Straightforward MDM
Minimal problems
Minimal data
Minimal risk
Low MDM
Stable or minor problems
Limited data
Low risk
Moderate MDM
Multiple or worsening conditions
Moderate data
Prescription drug management
High MDM
Severe or life-threatening conditions
Extensive data
High-risk management decisions
Easy Explanation (Simple Language)
This PDF shows how doctors decide how complex a patient visit is for billing and documentation. The difficulty of a visit depends on how serious the patient’s problems are, how much information the doctor reviews, and how risky the treatment decisions are. Doctors do not need all three factors—only two of them—to choose the correct level. Simple visits have low risk and few problems, while serious cases with severe illness, many tests, and high-risk treatments count as high-level MDM.
Sample Questions (For Exams / Practice)
What is Medical Decision Making (MDM)?
Name the three elements of MDM.
How many MDM elements are required to select a level?
What type of problems qualify as low-level MDM?
What is considered moderate risk in patient management?
Give examples of high-level MDM decisions.
How does data review affect MDM level?
What changes were made in the 2021 CPT revisions?
Presentation Outline (Simple Slides)
Slide 1 – Title
Level of Medical Decision Making (MDM)
Slide 2 – What Is MDM?
Definition and importance
Slide 3 – Three Elements of MDM
Problems, Data, Risk
Slide 4 – Levels of MDM
Straightforward to High
Slide 5 – Problems Addressed
Minor to life-threatening
Slide 6 – Data Review
Tests, notes, interpretations
Slide 7 – Risk Assessment
Low vs high risk
Slide 8 – CPT Codes
New and established patients
Slide 9 – 2021 Revisions
Focus on clinical judgment
Slide 10 – Summary
Key takeaways
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