Question:
When using the E/M guidelines, is the problem an an acute, uncomplicated illness or an acute illness with systemic symptoms?
Answer:
Let’s start with the CPT definitions, from the CPT® Professional edition.
| Acute, uncomplicated illness | Acute illness with systemic symptoms |
| From CPT®: A recent or new short-term problem with low risk of morbidity for which treatment is considered. There is little to no risk of mortality with treatment, and full recovery without functional impairment is expected. A problem that is normally self-limited or minor, but is not resolving consistent with a definite and prescribed course is an acute uncomplicated illness | From CPT®: An illness that causes systemic symptoms and has a high risk of morbidity without treatment. For systemic general symptoms such as fever, body aches or fatigue in a minor illness that may be treated to alleviate symptoms, shorten the course of illness or to prevent complications, see the definitions for ‘self-limited or minor’ or ‘acute, uncomplicated.’ Systemic symptoms may not be general, but may be single system. |
| From CPT®: Examples may include cystitis, allergic rhinitis, or a simple sprain. | From CPT®: Examples may include pyelonephritis, pneumonitis, or colitis. |
| Little to no risk of mortality | High risk of morbidity without treatment |
| Full recovery without functional impairment | If treating systemic general symptoms such as fever, body aches or fatigue see: “self-limited or minor” or “acute uncomplicated.” |
| Other examples: Otitis, URI, UTI, diarrhea | Patient has symptoms in other body areas/organ systems than condition |
| Fever, body aches, fatigue in the conditions listed above do not constitute an acute illness with systemic symptoms | SOB, cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, unintended weight loss in a patient with pneumonitis is an example of acute illness with systemic symptoms |
If reviewing a note, ask yourself these questions:
- Is there a high risk of morbidity without treatment? If yes, look at acute illness with systemic symptoms. If not, stick with acute uncomplicated illness or injury.
- Is there little to no risk of mortality, and is full recovery without functional impairment expected? Is the condition being treated of a similar acuity to the CPT examples of cystitis and allergic rhinitis? If so, look at acute, uncomplicated illness.
And, read again the sentence (not the most straightforward sentence ever written) “For systemic general symptoms such as fever, body aches or fatigue in a minor illness that may be treated to alleviate symptoms, shorten the course of illness or to prevent complications, see the definitions for ‘self-limited or minor’ or ‘acute, uncomplicated.’” That is, fever or fatigue with a URI or otitis do not qualify as an acute illness with systemic symptoms.
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