99213 CPT Code: Established Patient Office or Outpatient Visit (20–29 Minutes)
The 99213 CPT code is one of the most commonly reported Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes for established patient office or outpatient visits. It represents services involving low-level medical decision-making (MDM) or 20–29 minutes of total time spent on the date of the encounter. Because it is used frequently in outpatient settings, proper documentation and compliance are essential to avoid denials, audits, and revenue loss. Key Takeaways What the code covers: The 99213 CPT code applies to established patients seen in an office or outpatient setting for stable chronic conditions or new low-to-moderate severity problems. Session duration requirements: When billing based on time, total provider time must be 20–29 minutes on the date of service. Who can use the code: Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants can report this code if documentation supports low-complexity MDM or appropriate time thresholds. Best practice for proper use: Accurate documenta...