Question

question 5

during a soccer game, ashley, a 26-year old female, heard a popping sound in her knee. her knee has been unstable since the incident and she decided to consult an orthopedist. she visits dr. howard, an orthopedist she has not seen before, to evaluate her knee pain. dr. howards diagnosis is a torn acl. what category and subcategory of evaluation and management code would be selected for the visit to dr. howard?

office visit, new patient
preventive visit, new patient
office visit, established patient
outpatient consultation

Explanation:

Analyze the patient's status and visit setting

The patient, Ashley, is visiting Dr. Howard, an orthopedist she has not seen before, in an outpatient office setting to evaluate a knee injury. Because she has not received any professional services from Dr. Howard or another physician of the exact same specialty and subspecialty in the same group practice within the past three years, she is classified as a new patient.

Determine the E/M category and subcategory

The visit takes place in an office setting for the evaluation and management of a specific medical problem (knee pain/torn ACL), rather than a preventive wellness exam or a formal consultation requested by another provider. Therefore, the correct Evaluation and Management (E/M) category and subcategory is "Office visit, new patient".

Answer:

• Office visit, new patient (Correct answer)
• Preventive visit, new patient
• Office visit, established patient
• Outpatient consultation