Level 1 H&P (99221)

The 99221 represents the lowest level of initial care for patients being admitted to the hospital.  Due to the fact that admission criteria have been tightening over the past few years, this is the least popular code used to bill for admission H&Ps among internists who select the 99221 for only 2.8% of these encounters.  The reimbursement for this level of care is approximately $97.  Usually the presenting problems are of low severity. 

The documentation for this code requires THREE out of THREE of the following :

1)  Detailed History
2)  Detailed Exam
3)  Straightforward / Low Complexity Medical Decision-Making

Or 30 minutes spent face-to-face with the patient if coding based on time.  The appropriate documentation must be included.

Clinical Example

This topic is covered in more detail in of one of our web-based E/M coding courses.
Admission H&Ps
		Related Topics
		Level 2 Admission H&Ps Level 3 Admission H&Ps Level 1 Hospital Progress Notes Level 2 Hospital Progress Notes Level 3 Hospital Progress Notes
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